Question: How can I tell where my Tesla was built?
Answer:
You can tell where your Tesla was built by checking your window sticker or the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Though the manufacturer has several factories around the world, all Tesla cars are assembled at one of four plants:
- Fremont, California
- Austin, Texas
- Shanghai, China
- Brandenburg, Germany
Check your window sticker
If you still have your Tesla’s window sticker (you might also hear it called a Monroney Label), check it to see where your vehicle was assembled. You can find this information at the bottom of the label in the “parts content” section.
Keep in mind:You may also see a number indicating the percentage of parts your Tesla contains from different countries. In other words, just because your car was put together in one place doesn’t mean all the parts were manufactured there.
Check your vehicle identification number (VIN)
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle, providing specific details about its production. You can find your Tesla’s VIN in any one of six places:
- In the bottom corner of the windshield on the driver’s side
- On the label on the driver door jamb
- On the touchscreen by touching Controls > Software
- On your car’s Monroney Label
- On your vehicle registration
- On your insurance card
If your Tesla was built at the Gigafactory in Shanghai, you can also find your VIN beneath the front passenger seat. Those with Giga Berlin-based Teslas can also find their VIN hiding beneath the trim on the rear passenger-side door sill.
How to decode your Tesla’s VIN
Once you’ve located your VIN, take a look at the first three digits. These are your Tesla’s World Manufacturing Identifier (WMI), which gives you a vehicle’s country of origin.
Here’s what your Tesla’s WMI means:
- 5YJ: Fremont (through model year 2021)
- 7SA: Fremont/Austin (from model year 2022 onwards)
- LRW: Shanghai
- XP7: Berlin
If you really want to drill down to find out what factory your Tesla was assembled in, locate the 11th digit in the VIN. This digit tells you the car’s plant of manufacture:
- A: Tesla Austin, Texas
- B: Tesla Berlin, Germany
- C: Tesla China (Shanghai)
- F: Tesla Fremont, California)
Which Teslas are built at each factory?
As you might guess, each Tesla factory is tooled for specific builds—so just knowing which models are manufactured at which locations can help you narrow down your Tesla’s birthplace.
- Fremont, CA Factory: The original Tesla factory produces the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y.
- Gigafactory Shanghai: Tesla’s first international factory produces the Model 3 and Model Y.
- Gigafactory, Texas: Tesla’s global headquarters in Austin manufactures the Model Y and the new Cybertruck.
- Gigafactory, Berlin–Brandenburg: Tesla’s first European factory produces the Model Y and will soon begin building batteries.
Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car. Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.
Kevin Berry is the Senior Director of Content at Jerry and has been working in the digital content space since 2011 across the car insurance/repair, personal finance, travel and sports industries. Prior to Jerry, Kevin was a content team lead at NerdWallet overseeing the Multimedia Production and Travel Rewards teams. Previously, he worked for NBC Sports, Comcast Cable and Nike. He has a Master`s Degree from Arkansas State and a Bachelor`s from Oregon State University.
