Autoblog

BREAKING: Governator says Tesla teaming up with Toyota in Cali

Chris Paukert — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

Tesla Model S sedan - click above for high-res image gallery

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. Any production agreement will likely involve the forthcoming Model S sedan, and NUMMI's facilities are significantly larger than what the model will require, as it was originally scaled to accommodate the joint venture between Toyota and General Motors which required much greater capacity. 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 rumored 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...

Gallery: Tesla Model S

[Source: SFGate]

BREAKING: Governator says Tesla teaming up with Toyota in Cali originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 May 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla Model S factory plan timeline unrealistic?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Tesla, Electric

Tesla Model S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Autopia has brought a healthy dose of skepticism to the claims that Tesla will be delivering the Model S sedan to customers by 2012. Wired's automotive wing unearthed a report by the Downey Patriot that says that if the electric car manufacturer wants to use the property it has been eying in Downey, California, it will need to get on the ball in a hurry.

The report claims that in order for Tesla to renovate the structures located on the 51-acre tract of land to suit its needs, the company will need to have construction crews work 20-hours a day, five-days a week. Even at that pace, it will take close to 18 months to get everything ready in time.

That's just a year and a half to work out kinks like prepping buildings, installing tooling and firing up an assembly line. A spokesperson from Tesla says the 20-hour a day work schedule is a worst-case scenario, and that the company believes its goals are more than obtainable.

Right now, however, the company has yet to make a formal decision on where exactly it will build its manufacturing facility, and time is ticking. And even after that, Tesla still needs to prove it can sell its all-electric sedan at a profit.

Gallery: Tesla Model S in motion

[Source: Wired's Autopia]

Tesla Model S factory plan timeline unrealistic? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 May 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Tony Stark snapped driving Audi R8 V10 Spider

Chris Shunk — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Supercars, Audi, Celebrities

The first Iron Man movie, which came out in May, 2008, turned out to be a very supercar friendly affair. Among the vehicles in Tony Stark's multi-million dollar garage were a Saleen S7, a Shelby Cobra, a Tesla Roadster and an Audi R8. Stark even worked on a 1932 Ford Flathead roadster when he wasn't killing bad guys.

We were assuming the billionaire superhero genius will continue to have a great stable of rides in the next installment of the series, and spy photos taken on set confirm our suspicions. Robert Downey Jr. is seen driving in an Audi R8 V10 Spider during shooting of the film, which is scheduled to be released on May 7, 2010. In one of the spy photos, the V10 badging is clearly visible, confirming that Stark's drop-top R8 will be powered by VW's corporate 5.2-liter V10. With an expected 525 horsepower,the Audi R8 V10 Spider looks like our kind of Arc reactor.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: Tony Stark snapped driving Audi R8 V10 Spider originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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