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