Tesla Motors to build Bay Area plant - New England Patriots Forums

otis p. driftwood · 06-30-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Tesla Motors Inc. will build its next generation electric Tesla Roadster at a factory in the Bay Area.

"We will be doing this in the Bay Area to keep better control over production," said Tesla Chairman Elon Musk, in an e-mail to the San Francisco Business Times. "One of the mistakes that Tesla made early on was being too spread out around the world."

Tesla Motors, based in San Carlos, makes the Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car released in England in March with a $100,000 price tag. The company plans to release its next-generation vehicle, a sedan-style electric vehicle called the Model S, in 2010. The Model S is expected to cost $60,000. Tesla had considered building a manufacturing plant in New Mexico to produce the Model S.

But in his blog on the Tesla Web site, Tesla President an CEO Ze'ev Drori said he had thoroughly reviewed the car's operational and logistical elements since taking over the job early this year.

"One of the key conclusions was to challenge the merits of locating the plant and the program so far from our R&D and engineering teams in the Bay Area."

Ultimately, he said, the plant will be located "as close to our headquarters as possible."

Drori also cited being close to Tesla's "most important markets" and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's leadership on climate and energy issues as tipping points that kept the carmaker in California.

The state offered Tesla lucrative incentives to keep the company's manufacturing facilities in-state, including $100 million of tax-free financing for manufacturing equipment.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/s...0/daily16.html

$100 million seems like a lot of tax free money.

***BelichickFan*** · 06-30-2008, 06:19 PM

Not sure how that incentive compares to others but it's great to see something good happening to my great state

***patsfan13*** · 06-30-2008, 06:24 PM

Tesla uses the Lotus Elise chassis, a sweet handling cart the gas version weighs ~ 2,000 lbs.

***shmessy*** · 06-30-2008, 06:37 PM

It's all happening. We live in very exciting times.

The tidal wave of innovation that is just about ready to be unleashed is incredible. Once the federal government decides not to be an obstacle we could see tremendous domestic economic benefits.

For another very exciting electric car start up (with $250 million in backing from Nissan/Renault) google "Project a Better Place" and "Shai Agassi" (what is it with all these Israeli CEO's of electric car companies? Ze'ev Drori and Shai Agassi. Must be the motivation to get off Saudi oil).

otis p. driftwood · 06-30-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmessy

It's all happening. We live in very exciting times.

The tidal wave of innovation that is just about ready to be unleashed is incredible. Once the federal government decides not to be an obstacle we could see tremendous domestic economic benefits.

So you're okay with the State of California (which has some budget issues, doesn't it?) giving up that much money for the building of a car that goes for over 100K and the new 60K sedan?

I know development costs money, but is that fair for the taxpayers of Cali?

***shmessy*** · 06-30-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.paul

So you're okay with the State of California (which has some budget issues, doesn't it?) giving up that much money for the building of a car that goes for over 100K and the new 60K sedan?

I know development costs money, but is that fair for the taxpayers of Cali?

If it produces a positive economic return? Sure.

How many millionaire Hollywood stars live out there? How many do you think could be sold to those folks? Let those guys spend the big flashy bucks to make the point in the early years, then as the company gains its economies of scale and the tech gets better, the price can come down for the rest of us. Here's where Hollywood and all those pontificating stars can put their money where their mouth is. It's brilliant.

Now if it was in Youngstown, Ohio it would be a different story.

***DarrylS*** · 06-30-2008, 07:06 PM

Not a bad idea, but agree it is a lot of money to intice them to build there.. maybe they figure they will make it up with job gains.. nice idea but Tesla needs to come down in price..

***BelichickFan*** · 06-30-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.paul

So you're okay with the State of California (which has some budget issues, doesn't it?) giving up that much money for the building of a car that goes for over 100K and the new 60K sedan?

I know development costs money, but is that fair for the taxpayers of Cali?

Presumably money will come back from all the direct and indirect jobs that are created. I wouldn't say we're "giving up that money".

otis p. driftwood · 06-30-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Presumably money will come back from all the direct and indirect jobs that are created. I wouldn't say we're "giving up that money".

At that price, how many jobs will you be expecting?

I mean, I'm happy if you're happy, since it's your tax dollars and all.

***BelichickFan*** · 06-30-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.paul

At that price, how many jobs will you be expecting?

I mean, I'm happy if you're happy, since it's your tax dollars and all.

I don't know the inner workings but considering all the other crap we spend money on I'm glad to have something moving forward in what should be the greatest state in the country (ducking for cover).