Tesla Motors to make sedan in California

Ze’ev Drori, CEO of Tesla Motors, and Gov. Schwarzenegger recently held a press conference to unveil a 4-door, 5-passenger sedan, which will be manufactured at a facility in California.

Previously it had been announced that the sedan manufacturing facility was planned for Albuquerque, N.M. After a thorough review of the program, Tesla decided that it would be highly advantageous to build manufacturing facilities in close proximity to the engineering and research and development functions in Tesla’s San Carlos headquarters.

Tesla’s battery pack, a critical component of the Tesla Roadster, is currently manufactured in California. Final assembly of the Tesla Roadster is also currently in California.

Gov. Schwarzenegger and the state of California also made it clear that they wanted to keep Tesla manufacturing in California. “Today’s announcement is incredible news for California’s economy and its environment. If California was a baseball team this would be like winning the first round draft pick and recruiting a player who is a perfect fit on our roster because Tesla Motors and its all-electric cars belong in California,” says Gov. Schwarzenegger.

The California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), approved a new program that exempts new zero emission vehicle manufacturers from paying sales and use tax on the purchase of manufacturing equipment and will encourage ZEV manufacturing in California.

Tesla will also be eligible for at least $1 million in Employment Training Panel Workforce Development Funds to train employees.

Drori says, “Tesla has achieved an extraordinary accomplishment. We are the only automobile company today delivering full performance battery-electric vehicles to our customers. Make no mistake -- we are not a niche player with a car only for the rich and famous. As our agreement with the state so clearly demonstrates, we are building a high volume zero emission vehicle, manufactured in California for mid-range family use.”

Tesla’s sedan, which is targeted for late 2010 production, will utilize Tesla Motors’ electric powertrain design.

For more information, visit www.teslamotors.com.