Tesla did not respond to written requests for comment from Reuters sent to its Shanghai and global media relations accounts. Under Zhu, Tesla Shanghai rebounded strongly from lockdowns this year to bring Tesla close to its growth target for 2022 of 50% production growth. Among the projects the Shanghai team have worked on is Tesla's long-delayed Cybertruck, its next new model, a third person said. However, Zhu's colleagues in Shanghai believe he is in line for a more senior and wider-ranging role at Tesla, the two people said. The plant has excelled in applying cost-saving, factory-floor innovations for Tesla, including the use of massive casting machines to simplify production.

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