Tesla to build new electric sedan in Bay Area

[mgescuro]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/30/BATH11GGP2.DTL

Tesla to build new electric sedan in Bay Area

Tesla Motors, the maker of electric-powered roadsters, will announce today that it has chosen the Bay Area to build a manufacturing plant for its new model, an electric sedan that is expected to go into production in two years.

The San Carlos company had been widely expected to build its new manufacturing facility in New Mexico, which reportedly had dangled an incentive package worth $7 million.

But the firm instead chose California because it offered a pair of its own financial incentives: a sales tax exemption on the purchase of manufacturing equipment and grants for training its new employees, state officials said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has ordered a $100,000 Tesla Roadster of his own, and state Treasurer Bill Lockyer, both of whom helped broker the deal with Tesla, are expected to join company officials who are announcing the deal today.

"California's leadership on climate change is literally creating a market for green-tech goods that will change the world and continue to bring cutting-edge companies and jobs to the state," said Aaron McLear, a spokesman for the governor.

Tesla has received rave reviews for its roadsters, which started rolling off the production lines in England in March after some delays. The firm's second-generation automobile, known as the Model S, is a sedan that is expected to cost about $60,000 and will go into production by late 2010, company officials say.

Under the deal, California would use the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority, a rarely used state entity formed in 1980, to finance the purchase of an estimated $100 million worth of manufacturing equipment.

The equipment would be leased to Tesla, whose payments to the state would be used to pay off the equipment purchase.

The company can buy the equipment from the state at the end of the lease term but would not have to pay sales tax on the purchase, said Tom Dresslar, a spokesman for the state treasurer. That would save Tesla as much as $9 million, he said.

The exemption "was a key factor for Tesla to come back to California," Dresslar said.

More at Link

[johnstarnes]

Is this car to be the White Star I've read about?

[emh]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

Is this car to be the White Star I've read about?

I would think so -- that's the only Tesla I've heard of being in development other than the Lotus-built DarkStar (roadster). I hope this is a good sign given the news a few months ago about WhiteStar being delayed.

Rumors were that New Mexico was favored due to the proximity to the Hermosillo Ford plant -- the car was supposedly to be based on the Fusion. The Bay Area isn't much further I guess... and don't know if the Fusion is still the planned platform.

[zete]

So, they don't even have the roadster out and available and they're already fantasizing about a sedan. This whole escapade has epic fail written all over it.

And folks in other threads complained that the Volt would be $40k. At least at $40k you get a useful vehicle that can be serviced nationwide and can actually travel nationwide. With the Tesla sedan you have something that's useful in and around town, but if you want to head out further you either have to stop every 200 miles or so and then charge for some unknown length of time or have a second gas-powered vehicle.

All I can say is: "Bah!"

[Sal Collaziano]

Any ideas whether this will be a full-size or mid-size family sedan?

[DoomsDave]

Originally Posted by zete

So, they don't even have the roadster out and available and they're already fantasizing about a sedan. This whole escapade has epic fail written all over it.

And folks in other threads complained that the Volt would be $40k. At least at $40k you get a useful vehicle that can be serviced nationwide and can actually travel nationwide. With the Tesla sedan you have something that's useful in and around town, but if you want to head out further you either have to stop every 200 miles or so and then charge for some unknown length of time or have a second gas-powered vehicle.

All I can say is: "Bah!"

All your points are valid and even though Tesla is a competitor of GM, as a brand new US-based car manufacturer, I wish them nothing but good luck.

[emh]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Any ideas whether this will be a full-size or mid-size family sedan?

Well, there have been rumors it'll be based on the Fusion, which would make it midsize. But then, a Tesla VP has refuted that rumor in a public forum saying the core mechanicals of the car will pretty much be designed from scratch by Tesla, but may potentially use existing parts.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that Tesla would *want* to design the platform and mechanicals from scratch -- even if manufacturing is outsourced.

[gardnet1]

Nothing says uncompetitive like manufacturing a product in the most expensive region in America. It would have been cheaper to have built it in Sweden.

Better hope Cali government "sugar daddies" the project or the Volt will Zap its sales.

Th!nk next time!

[gardnet1]

Originally Posted by zete

So, they don't even have the roadster out and available and they're already fantasizing about a sedan. This whole escapade has epic fail written all over it.

And folks in other threads complained that the Volt would be $40k. At least at $40k you get a useful vehicle that can be serviced nationwide and can actually travel nationwide. With the Tesla sedan you have something that's useful in and around town, but if you want to head out further you either have to stop every 200 miles or so and then charge for some unknown length of time or have a second gas-powered vehicle.

All I can say is: "Bah!"

I was thinking more along the lines of Delorean. Gee where can you get those serviced at besides universal studios?

[CJ Thunder]

Now where is Aptera's incentives?

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by emh

Well, there have been rumors it'll be based on the Fusion, which would make it midsize. But then, a Tesla VP has refuted that rumor in a public forum saying the core mechanicals of the car will pretty much be designed from scratch by Tesla, but may potentially use existing parts.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that Tesla would *want* to design the platform and mechanicals from scratch -- even if manufacturing is outsourced.

It's hard to adapt an existing platform... I mean the Fusion is fundamentally different in powertrain to the point where it is hard to use anything. Sure some hardware could be used and maybe a floorpan...

[zete]

I love the fact it'll go into production "late in 2010". In other words, they'll have one made.

I'd love Tesla to succeed, but it's had "epic fail" written all over it from day one. They're building cars the way Silicon Valley builds software and I have no intention of being fool enough to drive any alpha product that might get me killed.

[minnfang]

Originally Posted by zete

So, they don't even have the roadster out and available and they're already fantasizing about a sedan. This whole escapade has epic fail written all over it.

And folks in other threads complained that the Volt would be $40k. At least at $40k you get a useful vehicle that can be serviced nationwide and can actually travel nationwide. With the Tesla sedan you have something that's useful in and around town, but if you want to head out further you either have to stop every 200 miles or so and then charge for some unknown length of time or have a second gas-powered vehicle.

All I can say is: "Bah!"

I'll match your "Bah" and throw down a "Boo-Ha-Ha".
I found this tidbit at LeftLaneNews...

Tesla also announced that the Model S ‘multi-use sport sedan’ will have a range of 225 miles and retail from $60,000. A production date has not been set, but the Model S will likely see production in 2010, according to MotorAuthority.com.

Like the 2010 Chevrolet Volt, the Model S will be powered by an electric motor – believed to be powered by lithium-ion batteries – but will also carry a small internal combustion engine to recharge the batteries when needed.

More at link:http://www.leftlanenews.com/tesla-co...rid-sedan.html

You might be wrong on the range issue, but I find it funny how Tesla was going to show Detroit how to do things differently, and now it looks like they are copying them.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by zete

So, they don't even have the roadster out and available and they're already fantasizing about a sedan. This whole escapade has epic fail written all over it.

What are you talking about? The Roadster's been on the road since March.
It's sold out for 2008, but you can order a 2009.

Originally Posted by zete

And folks in other threads complained that the Volt would be $40k. At least at $40k you get a useful vehicle that can be serviced nationwide and can actually travel nationwide. With the Tesla sedan you have something that's useful in and around town, but if you want to head out further you either have to stop every 200 miles or so and then charge for some unknown length of time or have a second gas-powered vehicle.

Volt is expensive because it meant to be a premium roadster. They're not competitors.

The Tesla Model S is supposed be be about $60,000. And another car will appear after that at the $30,000 price point.
These cars aren't meant to be taken on long road trips. And that's fine. Drive them about town... or to the country club... or whatever...

As Tesla improves its consumer base, I"m sure you'll see a lot more Tesla related dealer amenities, etc. I wouldn't worry.

Just consider Tesla another domestic car manufacturer. Fact of the matter is... if GM was doing this... you all would be drooling....

Originally Posted by zete

I love the fact it'll go into production "late in 2010". In other words, they'll have one made.

I'd love Tesla to succeed, but it's had "epic fail" written all over it from day one. They're building cars the way Silicon Valley builds software and I have no intention of being fool enough to drive any alpha product that might get me killed.

So? We'll probably have exactly 1 Volt built in 2010 too. Big deal?

I don't think you want Tesla to succeed. Your posts towards them are pretty cynical and negative.
So what if Tesla brings a Silicon Valley mentality to the auto industry? What are you afraid of? Perhaps Silicon Valley can teach Detroit a thing or two about innovation and product development? It would behoove Detroit to pay attention. Silicon Valley didn't get to where it is by playing things safe. It's the world's premier locale for innovation and technology and cutting edge business practices. I wouldn't put anything past Silicon Valley.

Be thankful it's an American company innovating and getting product out there. You'd all be pitchin a hissy fit if it was a Japanese or Chinese company.

[emh]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

It's hard to adapt an existing platform... I mean the Fusion is fundamentally different in powertrain to the point where it is hard to use anything. Sure some hardware could be used and maybe a floorpan...

Well, the roadster is based on a Lotus Elise. I don't think there was any implications that there wouldn't be heavy modifications involved, but what could Tesla improve on in the supension, steering etc. (other than perhaps using lighter materials)?

Originally Posted by zete

They're building cars the way Silicon Valley builds software and I have no intention of being fool enough to drive any alpha product that might get me killed.

Aww... c'mon... where's your sense of adventure?? Besides, would you rather they did it how Seattle "builds" software?

Seriously though, there are plenty of Silicon Valley companies that have very rigorous standards for their products, especially in hardware, but many in software as well.