Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger inspects the underside of an all-electric passenger vehicle
developed by Tesla Motors in San Carlos following a press conference yesterday.
The press conference was held to announce Tesla Motors has chosen California over New Mexico
to manufacture a new sports-sedan model.
Photos by John Hoctor
By Jason Bennert
July 1, 2008
Heralded electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors will build its second model, a five passenger sport sedan, in the Bay Area, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and company officials announced Monday.
The San Carlos-based company had been considering locating its manufacturing plant in New Mexico but Schwarzenegger, who was one of the first people to order a Tesla roadster, was not happy with that possibility.
“It drove me absolutely insane,” Schwarzenegger said at a morning news conference at Tesla Motors headquarters. “My administration does not like to lose.”
A new state program that waives the sales tax on investment in new manufacturing equipment was one of he factors that convinced Tesla to build its plant in the state.
“We are very happy that Tesla decided to come back and say ‘I’ll be back,'” Schwarzenegger said.
Tesla is still deciding between two undisclosed Bay Area locations for the plant, which will employ approximately 400 people. The company will break ground on the plant within the next year, “possibly” by the end of this year, according to Tesla Vice President Darryl Siry.
Tesla is currently producing four of its electric roadsters a month and the waiting list for delivery is approximately one year.
Schwarzenegger is scheduled to receive his roadster within the next several months, Siry said.
At the news conference Schwarzenegger also announced that firefighters are beginning to get a handle on the numerous wildfires burning across the state with the statewide containment level at 80 percent. He reminded state residents to take extra care during the Fourth of July holiday with fire safety.
“I just recommend that everyone be very cautious,” Schwarzenegger said.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger with Tesla Motors Chairman Elon Musk
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