Thursday 1st April 2010

Tesla Roadster Production Extended

Electric sports car maker changes mind over production stoppage

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A newly extended contract with body and parts supplier Lotus will allow Tesla to extend the life of its Roadster until new models come on stream.

The deal has allowed Tesla to make a u-turn on plans revealed in February to stop selling cars altogether in 2011 while it prepares the ground for its new Model S saloon and the next-gen Roadster. The change of heart has no doubt been part-fuelled by the plans to offer stock in the company to the public - the planned stoppage raised doubts about the probable survival of the electric car manufacturer.

The original deal with Lotus was to supply Tesla with 1700 Roadster shells, ending in March 2011. That has now been extended to 2400 shells, and should see Tesla through until December 2011.

The new Model S saloon will arrive in early 2012, ensuring that Tesla dealers will always have something new to sell. There will still be a hiatus on Roadster production, however, as the second-generation Roadster isn’t expected to come on stream until at least 2013.

[ianqv]

Thank God it's the 1st of April - I thought for a second we were going to see more of this crap on the roads!!

[Frimley111R]

TBH...people in glass houses etc.. (Your Rover 25!!)

[soad]

They seem to be on the roll today.

[Johnpidge]

nice one

[ian_touring]

Electric car maker runs out of juice, then has a final spurt? Maybe they found some spare batteries in the glove box...

Hmmm whats the date again?

[ianqv]

Frimley111R said:

TBH...people in glass houses etc.. (Your Rover 25!!)

The Rover 25 (in jewish racing gold!) is just my dailey snotter!

Electric stuff is for Lentil munchers!

[Mark-C]

Two week old news .... http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/14/tesla-switches-...

[Fordo]

ianqv said:

Frimley111R said:

TBH...people in glass houses etc.. (Your Rover 25!!)

The Rover 25 (in jewish racing gold!) is just my dailey snotter!

Electric stuff is for Lentil munchers!

and rovers are for people with flat caps! (says a man with a rover 25 mg zr)


I really like the idea of tesla, but just cant see it making the money it needs to, to survive. If elecy cars of the future are lightweight, fun, and have some range, then im happy about the future. - just not sure tesla will survive to get the technology to that point.

we need a break through in battery tech really

[burman]

Could be something to do with the price also £90k, and according to Clarkson you need 2, one to use while the other is on charge for about 10 hours. Leccy cars are and will be crap until there is a major breakthrough in battery design, and I dont mean super expensive Lithium ion.

[glazbagun]

burman said:

Could be something to do with the price also £90k, and according to Clarkson you need 2, one to use while the other is on charge for about 10 hours. Leccy cars are and will be crap until there is a major breakthrough in battery design, and I dont mean super expensive Lithium ion.

Top Gear in "fixed result for entertainment purposes" shocker:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3a7_1230707142
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-motors-resp...

I enjoy the show, but I put as much faith in the programs representation of reality as I do Gordon Brown's.

As for the Tesla company- I imagine their plan has always been to manufature low-volume cars to sell to rich early adopters, recouping costs, then selling out to a larger company looking to reduce their own development costs. Aston Martin should've bought them rather than putting a penny into that Cygnet abortion.

Edited by glazbagun on Sunday 4th April 23:55

[ianqv]

Fordo said:

ianqv said:

Frimley111R said:

TBH...people in glass houses etc.. (Your Rover 25!!)

The Rover 25 (in jewish racing gold!) is just my dailey snotter!

Electric stuff is for Lentil munchers!

and rovers are for people with flat caps! (says a man with a rover 25 mg zr)


I really like the idea of tesla, but just cant see it making the money it needs to, to survive. If elecy cars of the future are lightweight, fun, and have some range, then im happy about the future. - just not sure tesla will survive to get the technology to that point.

we need a break through in battery tech really

Don't forget the Tartan blacket on the rear parcel shelf!!