Reports say a Tesla team arrived in Ningbo on Sept 16 and opened a production
audit for its Optimus humanoid robot on Sept 17, and has placed related orders
with supply‑chain firms. A similar audit in China last September reportedly
involved Top Group, Sanhua Intelligent Controls, Zhejiang Rongtai, Xinquan and
Joyson Electronics. Top Group staff said they have not received formal audit
notice; they added Tesla R&D personnel are regularly at the Ningbo plant and the
firms collaborate on linear and rotary actuators and dexterous-hand actuators,
with a robot-parts base ready. Sanhua staff said they were unaware of a new
audit but are working with major customers on robot joint actuator development.
