The New Tesla Lane at the U.S.-Mexico Border Crossing Near Nuevo Leon
If you have ever been to the US-Mexico border crossing, you probably understand how chaotic it can be. Elon Musk wasn’t having it, so there is a new Tesla lane at the U.S.-Mexico Border near a few of the company’s suppliers. Does that mean you can’t drive your Tesla Model Y through the lane? That part remains unclear.
Why is there a Tesla lane at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing?
According to Bloomberg, this Tesla lane is a few miles from Laredo, Texas, one of the more remote border crossings into Mexico. There are a few different lanes, similar to a drive-through bank experience.
One sign reads “cars only” another reads “empty trucks.” Similarly, another sign guides trucks with perishable goods into its lane. In between all of that, there is an unmistakable TESLA sign. Oddly enough, in the photo used in the Bloomberg article, a Chevy Tahoe SUV is using the Tesla lane.
Since Tesla moved its headquarters from Silicon Valley, California, to Austin, Texas, the automaker apparently struck up a deal. Tesla Inc. suppliers now have access to a dedicated lane at the Colombia Solidarity checkpoint to make border crossing easier. Ivan Rivas, economy minister of Nuevo Leon, confirmed this to Bloomberg.
The Tesla Lane at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing will make it easier for suppliers
For example, in an interview, Rivas said it was a “simple incentive” for the automaker. The Colombia Solidarity checkpoint wanted to offer Tesla a “crossing that’s much more expedited and efficient.” He confirmed there could be more lanes for other companies in the future.
Tesla didn’t respond to Bloomberg’s questions, and Rivas didn’t work on the deal, which left him with limited information. Similarly, state officials didn’t respond either. As far as anyone can tell, Tesla just wanted to ease the trouble of crossing the border for those who have to do it regularly. Perhaps one day, a Tesla Cybertruck will make its way through.
Nuevo Leon is home to six suppliers for Tesla these days. Bloomberg lists these companies as Taiwanese companies EnFlex Corp. and Quanta Computer, French firm Faurecia SE, Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and APG Mexico.
The Tesla Model Y electric SUV was the most American-made vehicle in 2022
This crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing recently expanded from six lanes to eight, meaning crossing should be less hassle for anyone. As a result, the crossing only takes about 20 minutes to get through for commercial trucks, so it isn’t a very big crossing either way.
Above all, the new Texas Tesla factory, also known as Giga Texas, has been crucial in ramping up the production of the popular electric vehicles. A 2022 Cars.com American-Made Index had the Tesla Model Y in the top spot for the most American-made SUV for 2022. Tesla builds the Model Y in Fremont, California, or Austin, Texas, depending on a few specifications of your build. Cars.com had the Tesla Model 3 sedan in second place for 2022.
In conclusion, the Tesla lane at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing is simply a convenience feature for those making the trip regularly. If the Texas factory starts producing Cybertrucks, seeing a Cybertruck use the Tesla lane wouldn’t be too far out in the left field.
