Tesla auditing Chinese suppliers ahead of Optimus roll-out: sources

The supplier audits come as Elon Musk’s firm aims to quickly ramp up production of its Optimus humanoid robot after its release later this year

Tesla officials and engineers have begun auditing part of the firm’s Chinese supply chain, as Elon Musk’s company aims to quickly ramp up production of its Optimus humanoid robot after it hits the global market later this year, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

Chinese companies set to undergo supplier audits included heat-control component manufacturer Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls, auto parts supplier Ningbo Joyson Electronic, and chassis producer Tuopu Group, two corporate executives with business ties to the manufacturers told the South China Morning Post.

A supplier audit is a process in which a vendor’s production and compliance standards are evaluated to ensure product quality.