Tesla Announces Electric Saloon

New four-door electric vehicle will be built in California

By Oli S / Tuesday, 1 July 2008 / Loading comments

The Tesla Roadster

Tesla Motors’ next product will be an electric four-door saloon built in California, it has been revealed. The company plans to start producing the car in late 2010 and promises that it will be both high performance and practical.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said yesterday at a press conference that he was pleased production of the cra, known as the 'Model S', would stay in California. ‘Today’s announcement is incredible news for California’s economy and its environment,' he said. '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.'

Last week, the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority approved a new program that exempts new zero emission vehicle manufacturers from paying sales and use tax on the purchase of manufacturing equipment. Tesla said 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 is currently manufactured in California and final assembly of the Tesla Roadster is also currently in the state.

Ze’ev Drori, President and CEO of Tesla Motors, said: ‘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. And we aren’t going to stop there. We will continue on and build even more affordable cars.’