San Francisco (AFP)

After insulting the authorities who refused to let him immediately reopen his Californian factory, Elon Musk challenged them to come and "arrest" him and announced the resumption of activity on Monday on Twitter, despite reports related to the pandemic.

"Tesla resumes production today, against Alameda County rules. I will be in the ranks with everyone. If someone is arrested, I ask that it be me, and me alone," tweeted the whimsical founder of the electric car manufacturer.

"Today, May 11, we learned that the Tesla plant in Fremont had reopened beyond the minimum allowed," said the county near San Francisco, where the plant is located, in a statement. closed since mid-March.

Local authorities promise to tackle the problem "in stages", as with other companies that have breached their containment orders.

They notably want to find an agreement on the new working conditions, from health tests at the entrance to the building to safety protocols inside.

Elon Musk, who just had a son with musician Grimes, spent part of the weekend railing against the county's temporary ban.

"Frankly it is the drop of water that overflows the vase. Tesla will immediately move its headquarters and its future projects to Texas / Nevada. And if we were to keep a manufacturing activity in Fremont, it will depend on how we are treaties, "he said Saturday in a long rant, as usual.

- Threat -

In particular, he accuses the local authorities of being "irrational and cut off from reality".

Tesla filed a lawsuit against Alameda County on Saturday, claiming their decision contradicts federal and California rules, where companies considered "essential" are allowed to operate.

The group argues that this definition applies to it, since it installs solar panels and terminals to charge electric cars.

Asked about the subject on Monday at a press conference, Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, confirmed that manufacturing activities, with the necessary modifications, were no longer restricted in the state, which began to relax the confinement.

"I believe, I think and I hope they will be allowed to resume production early next week," he said.

Monday morning, the billionaire boss received the support of the American secretary to the Treasury.

"I agree with Elon Musk. He is one of the biggest employers and manufacturers in California," said Steven Mnuchin, on the American channel CNBC.

"California should focus on what they need to do to fix the health issues so that it can open quickly and safely, otherwise they will realize that it has moved its production to another state," continued Minister for Donald Trump.

- Poker -

A county in Texas also jumped at the opportunity, proposing in the process to Elon Musk to come and install its operations on its territory.

"I read your dissatisfaction with the California authorities (...) and I wanted to let you know that Hidalgo County is ready to welcome you and Tesla Motors immediately," wrote Richard Cortez, senior - county official, in a letter posted on Twitter with a hashtag "#WelcomeTesla".

"We have a motivated, business-friendly governor," he said, noting that Elon Musk already had a satellite launch site for another company, SpaceX. "All you have to do is choose a location."

The brave flights of Elon Musk did not move the markets: the title was stable in electronic trading after the close of Wall Street.

"Moving from Fremont would take at least 12 to 18 months," notes analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities.

"It's a high stakes poker game, and Musk just showed his cards. All eyes are now on local and California officials."

Elon Musk had already ignited during a teleconference with financial analysts, judging that the extension of the confinement was "fascist" and "not democratic".

Tesla managed to post a - modest - but surprise profit of $ 16 million in the 1st quarter, a jump of 33% in car deliveries and a turnover up 32% to $ 5.99 billion .

© 2020 AFP