Eight-year-old Emil is sitting at the window of the shuttle bus and screams: “Look, Mom, a Tesla.” And indeed, a few more of them can be seen in the streets and parking lots than is usual in the surrounding area of ​​Berlin.

The world's largest electric car manufacturer Tesla invited to its so-called Gigafest in Grünheide in Brandenburg on Saturday.

Those who were able to get hold of one of the coveted 9,000 tickets flock in droves to the area next to the A10 motorway to the inlet locks in the morning.

There are many families with children in the queues, some of those present wearing Tesla jackets.

So does Beat.

“I'm really excited about the plant,” he says, who traveled from Switzerland with his Tesla the day before to take part in a tour of Europe's first Tesla car factory.

"Hopefully they'll show us the press too.

It makes Tesla so much faster than Volkswagen, ”says the member of the Tesla Owners Club Helvetia.

"That's a scandal"

The evening before, he met with other Tesla drivers from Portugal and Italy, who were also invited by Tesla to the festival.

All others, on the other hand, had to apply online - residents were preferred.

So does Bettina, who lives in the neighboring village and instead of a Tesla drives up with her bike and locks it on the site fence.

“I do not endorse the construction.

Something else should have been established in a nature and water conservation area.

In addition, the traffic has gotten bad.

There are days when you can hardly cross the street.

Today 9000 guests are expected here and people flock in droves and everything is clogged.

We have that every day and more.

After all, 12,000 people should work here, ”says Bettina.

Police reported slow traffic on access roads, but no major problems.

Tesla had asked visitors to come by train.

Manu Hoyer from the Grünheide citizens' initiative is also bothered by the crowds.

She is only allowed to demonstrate from the other side of the street - right next to the busy country road in the direction of the catch lock: "What is happening over there is a scandal."

For the 814 critics at the factory, no place was found for a public discussion with reference to the corona situation and an online consultation was therefore called.

“And 9,000 people are allowed to meet here.

That has nothing to do with democracy and citizen participation, ”says Hoyer.

Tesla announced the factory in Grünheide at the end of 2019 and it plans to open this year.

A total of 500,000 electric cars are to be built here every year, but not only the new SUV Model Y but also batteries.

However, the US group still needs a final building permit, which has not yet been issued - also because of the many objections that still have to be processed.

Many revolve around the need for water.

Steffen Hoffmann from Schöneiche criticizes: “The whole catchment area is stepped.

Contrary to Mr. Musk's assertions, there is not enough water. ”Hoyer announced further lawsuits because of this.

At the moment, Tesla is only working on the factory on the basis of preliminary building permits - with the help of which huge halls that resemble a logistics center have already been built.

On Saturday the area is decorated with huge red and white Tesla banners, a Ferris wheel, stages, food stalls, carousel and balloons.

The high point is expected to be company founder Elon Musk, who made the special trip.

He also made friends with his statement: “Germany rocks.” And on Saturday the guests should also rock to the appropriate music. “I think it's great that Tesla is coming here. So many things have not worked here recently. You have to Just think of the Lausitzring. If anyone can make it, it will be Elon Musk, "says Alexandra.