Tesla Optimus Production Stumbles Amid Chinese Export Curbs

April 23, 2025, 2:20 am

Tesla's humanoid robot production faces significant delays as China's export restrictions on rare earth elements impact the rollout of Optimus models. Elon Musk has highlighted these supply chain hurdles amid growing concerns over production delays and investor confidence, underscoring the unpredictable nature of global tech manufacturing in a tightly regulated market.

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wired.com / Is Tesla on the Outs in China?

Despite being the biggest electric vehicle market in the world, China might decide it's had enough of Tesla. In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we break it all down.

theregister.com / Tesla's Optimus can't roll without rare earth magnets, and Beijing ain't budging yet

Officials seek assurances that bot won't be used for military applications Elon Musk says supply chain disruption in China held up delivery of a key component for Tesla's "Optimus" robot, with authorities reportedly demanding an export license and guarantees about military applications.…

cnbc.com / 5 quotes: Elon Musk on robotaxi timeline, Optimus robots, tariffs, energy and Tesla's future

Elon Musk said the future of the EV maker is autonomous cars and vast numbers of autonomous humanoid robots.

tomshardware.com / Tesla is impacted by China's export ban on rare earth minerals — Optimus production is delayed due to a “magnet issue”

Production of Tesla's Optimus robots is delayed because of the lack of rare earth metals.

cnbc.com / Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots hit by China's rare earth restrictions, says Musk

China had earlier imposed new export controls on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in everything from defense to energy to automotive technologies.

techinasia.com / China’s export rules delay Tesla’s Optimus robot production

Musk had previously estimated that Tesla would produce thousands of Optimus robots in 2025.

permalink / 8 stories from 6 sources in 6 days ago #robotics #china #tesla #technology #robotaxis #tariffs #energy #business

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Tesla Optimus Production Stumbles Amid Chinese Export Curbs

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