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California = Tesla + Toyota

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Just posted this in the Model S factory thread but figured it might be worthwhile to start another since the news might be unrelated to Model S.

California Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger has apparently let slip ahead of a scheduled 5pm Pacific announcement that Tesla Motors will be teaming up with Toyota to build electric cars.

While some might speculate that the agreement could result in the re-opening of Fremont's idle New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant (NUMMI), SFGate says that this is somewhat unlikely as the production agreement will likely involve the Model S sedan, and NUMMI's facilities are significantly larger than what that model will require, as it was originally scaled to accommodate the joint venture between Toyota and General Motors for larger volume production. The smart money is on a new factory location, probably in Downey, CA (in Los Angeles County).

It is not yet clear what Toyota will bring to the table or what, if any money or stock is changing hands with this agreement. Also, no word yet on how Mercedes-Benz feels about all this – the German automaker already has a 10 percent stake in the company after opening its coffers to the struggling EV manufacturer back in May of 2009.

More information as it becomes available...

BREAKING: Governator says Tesla teaming up with Toyota in Cali - Autoblog.com
 
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Here we go.

Looks like Tesla and Toyota will be teaming up for something. SFGate says it will unlikely be unrelated to Model S. The announcement is scheduled for 5PM Pacific.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/20/breaking-governator-says-tesla-teaming-up-with-toyota-in-cali/

"...after opening its coffers to the struggling EV manufacturer back in May of 2009...."

What's up with the "struggling" bit? :smile:

Yup, this sounds interesting. Looking forward to the announcement! NUMMI is right in my backyard but, is definitely overkill for the Model S. (Unless the 2014+ Roadster is also in the picture as well as a Model S Lite!)
 
Tesla to build electric vehicles with Toyota at NUMMI plant - VentureBeat

Bluestar as well as an investment from Toyota.
The company’s deal with Toyota has three facets:

1. The joint development of a brand new, $30,000 electric car, that will contain Tesla’s unique powertrain design, with everything else built by Toyota;
2. The purchase of the NUMMI plant, where Tesla plans to manufacture both its Model S sedan due out in 2012, and this more affordable “third-generation” vehicle;
3. A $50 million investment from Toyota into Tesla when the company goes public, probably later this year.
 
Does anybody know if and where the 5 pm Pacific Time presser will be streamed online?

Yes, you should be able to see it here: http://gov.ca.gov/

Governor to Join Tesla for Major Announcement
5/20/2010 - Governor Schwarzenegger will join officials at Tesla Headquarters for a major announcement.

Watch the live webcast at 5:00 p.m.
 
Nothing useful from Jalopnik, but I like their logo:
500x_toyesla_2.jpg


Nothing new from ABG, but I love this comment:
andysmithdesign
5:13pm (5/20/2010)

GET TO THE TESLA!

Hey Arnie where's my Johnny cabs

Justine musk, consider it a divorce

cohagan deez people need clean airrrr
 
Franz! please please please.

oh no... That will make 3 cars from Tesla, all with different design cues? Roadster from Lotus, Model S in house, bluestar Toyota?

Say it ain't so... that's not how you build a brand

*edit*

At top production levels, the plant could build upwards of half a million vehicles every year. Only a small percentage of these will be Model S units. The as-yet-nameless third-generation vehicle, a high-volume car, would make up the bulk of the inventory, along with the joint Toyota-Tesla design. That’s far from a certainty — the plan still depends on the company’s ability to raise enough capital and scale fast enough to make this third car possible.

This hints that bluestar and whatever the joint vehicle is will be two separate entities.
 
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