Turkey’s Erdogan lobbies Elon Musk for new Tesla factory

Turkish television on Monday showed Musk entering New York’s Turkish House, a new skyscraper across from the United Nations building, with his three-year-old son, whom he held on his lap during the talks.

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“President Erdogan called on Tesla to establish its seventh factory in Turkey,” the Turkish leader’s office said.

Turkey’s Anadolu state news agency said Musk told Erdogan that his country was “among the most important candidates” for the new factory.

Erdogan was in New York to attend the annual UN General Assembly meeting, which he is scheduled to address on Tuesday.

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Elon Musk meets with Indian PM Modi, says Tesla may make ‘significant investment’

Elon Musk meets with Indian PM Modi, says Tesla may make ‘significant investment’

Tesla currently has six factories, including two outside the United States – one in Shanghai focused on the Asian market and a second focused on European sales near Berlin.

It is also building one in Mexico, and has tentative plans for a plant in India.

Erdogan likes to promote Turkey’s hi-tech sector, which is arguably most famous for its Bayraktar combat drones.

Turkey this year also unveiled its first domestically-made electric vehicle, called Togg, which requires a constant stream of electric batteries and parts.

Erdogan’s office said he invited Musk to attend Teknofest, a technology fair scheduled for later this month in Turkey’s western city of Izmir.

But while cordial and full of laughs – Erdogan presented a football to Musk’s son, whom he and Canadian pop star Grimes named “X AE A-12” – the meeting got off to a slightly awkward start.

“Where is your wife?” Erdogan demanded in English, a language that he rarely speaks in public.

“Oh, she’s in San Francisco,” Musk said with a slightly nervous laugh. “We’re separated, and I take care of him mostly,” he added, nodding at his son.

Musk and Grimes separated two years ago.

The 52-year-old tycoon was also married twice to the British actress Talulah Riley, and once to the Canadian author Justine Wilson.