Tesla Motors Opening Technical Center in Michigan
by Kristi Piziks, Detroit, USA on 01.26.07
While GM has been riding the eco-wave lately with its Chevy Volt concept, there’s more electricity coming out of Detroit. Tesla Motors, manufacturer of high performance, zero-emission electric vehicles has opened its Michigan Technical Center in Rochester Hills, just north of Detroit and a local engineering Mecca.
This research and development facility will focus on future products for Tesla motors, including the “WhiteStar” (this is a code name), a four-door, five-passenger, lightweight, high-performance sedan planned for production around 2009. Word on the street is that the price of this electric sedan will be around $50,000, which is about half what it costs to get into their current car, the Roadster.
Besides the good news that Tesla is expanding, and planning on bringing down the price of future electric vehicles, there’s a bigger story here.
Detroit is the motor city, and most of Southeastern Michigan lives on money that is directly or indirectly tied auto companies. So there is a loyalty to the big three when it comes to buying a new vehicle. Oh, sure, there are rogue Hondas and VW’s tooling around…but Ford, GM and Chrysler drivers are the majority because these are the companies that feed local families.
Now, Tesla will feed local families, too. The more successful it is, the more jobs are created, and that opens up the options for broad minded residents. The sting of straying from the big three is alleviated when it buying an electric car is also supporting the local economy. And if it’s ok to go electric in Detroit, could this crack the shell of hardened “Buy-American” types everywhere?
Tesla associating with other American automakers might help the idea of driving an electric car seem…well, normal.
Of course, while it’s all very exciting up front, once again we’re looking a few years down the road to see this more affordable Tesla vehicle realized. Alternative energy is big talk these days, and while we continue to hear some great concepts and exciting production vehicles to come, we are going to have to remain patient to see the fruits of any action.
Looks like the Big 3 better got moving, or they're going to lose ground to another competitor. Except this one is a hometown competitor - which is exactly what we need around here.
Not really Tesla is using a prototyping company to design the car. So probably won't be large rollouts at first.. Oh and there are plenty of non-big three cars in Detroit.
The Telsa is a good idea, I'll give it that but it's not practical in that it's nothing more than an electric Lotus Elise which is a very tiny car not suitable for the average size American driver.
The roadster is not supposed to be a car for everybody, according to Tesla. Their strategy is to enter the market in a segment where people are ready to pay more, and then progressively enter other segments with more affordable cars.
There was an electric car back in 1921. There was a carbuerator that got over 300 miles to the gallon in 1963. None of this means squat until the american public wakes up to how they're being lied to and manipulated. Revolution works.
Hugh,
Sorry to say it - But this car was never designed for the 'average size' American driver. Or the average American driver at that.
I personally am VERY interested in the developments that Tesla has been bringing to plate. It may be based on a Lotus design, but at least its a GOOD LOOKING design - and meets a specific demand. To be a FAST supercar on a shoestring budget. See... you have to remember that this car was never designed for the average Joe who eats big macs and needs to drive around a family of 4. It's for that suave metrosexual CEO of a greentech firm who has a cool million sitting in the bank, and wants to drive something fast while still keeping to sustainable ways. Yes. They exist. Or well.. even if you are not green, you can still buy it as a rather cheap alternative to a Ferarri. ;)
If everyone stopped buying and leasing new gasoline powered cars for just one year – 2007, the loss of revenue would send a powerful message to the automotive industry. I don’t think it would take them long to figure out they need to change their product. They have compressed air, electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell cars. It is clear that the existing large auto manufactures can but will not release a technology that would threaten the existence of the oil industry. If a boycott were to threaten their existence, they would be forced to make a change. It appears to me the governments have allowed a technology monopoly to exist. The government must break this monopoly by funding companies like Tesla Motors to compete on equal financial ground. The government can also force the existing large auto manufactures to make available an equal amount of alternative fuel cars to the public. The public would than benefit from and chose the better technology. Seems like it’s up to the public and/or the government once again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgxaKWqUbXQ
I was wondering if anyone has seen any ads for Tesla? I would be interested to see their strategy.