Elon Musk has publicly rebuked Peter Navarro, a former trade advisor under President Donald Trump, calling him a "moron" in response to Navarro's comments about Tesla. The disagreement stems from Navarro's characterization of Tesla as a mere "car assembler" rather than a true manufacturer.
Navarro's remarks, made during a recent interview, suggested that Tesla primarily assembles components sourced from other companies, minimizing its contribution to actual manufacturing. Musk, known for his hands-on approach to Tesla's operations and his emphasis on in-house production, took exception to this assessment.
The Tesla CEO responded via social media, labeling Navarro's statement as ignorant and inaccurate. He defended Tesla's extensive manufacturing capabilities, pointing to the company's Gigafactories and its role in designing and producing key components such as batteries and electric motors.
The exchange underscores the evolving definition of manufacturing in the age of electric vehicles and the complexities of global supply chains. While Tesla does rely on some external suppliers, it also invests heavily in vertical integration, aiming to control more of its production process. This dispute is the latest in a series of disagreements between Musk and Navarro, who have previously clashed over trade policy and technological innovation.
Musk Calls Former Trump Advisor 'Moron' Over Tesla Manufacturing Claims
Elon Musk has criticized Peter Navarro, a former trade advisor to Donald Trump, after Navarro downplayed Tesla's role in manufacturing. Navarro reportedly referred to Tesla as simply a "car assembler," prompting Musk's sharp response. The exchange highlights ongoing debates about the definition of manufacturing in the electric vehicle industry and Tesla's position within it. This isn't the first time the two have clashed over economic and technological issues.
Source: Read the original article at BBC