Ze’ev Drori, CEO of Tesla Motors, and Governor Schwarzenegger announced at a press conference at Tesla Motors headquarters that Tesla’s next product, a 4-door, 5-passenger sedan, will be manufactured at a facility in the state of California.
Previously it had been announced that the sedan manufacturing facility was planned for Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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.
Governor Schwarzenegger and the state of California also made it clear that they wanted to keep Tesla manufacturing in California.
Last week, 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.
Tesla’s sedan, which is targeted for late 2010 production, will utilize Tesla Motors’ leading electric powertrain design.
The exact location of the manufacturing facility within California will be decided soon.
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