Tesla says federal loans needed for Model $ sedan

www.autobloggreen.com ^ | 12/10/2008 | Staff

[Red Badger]

After yesterday's good news regarding delivery of the 100th Tesla Roadster, it's back to number-crunching reality. Tesla CEO Elon Musk told the Detroit Free Press that if the electric car maker doesn't get a $350 million loan from the government, then the Model S will be delayed and San Jose plant won't open. Just two weeks ago, Tesla opposed the Big Three getting any bailout money from the government. So, Musk's statement may seem contradictory, but it's not. We just need to look at the details.

Tesla's Vice President of Business Development, Diarmuid O'Connell, blogged about how it was a bad idea for the Big Three to get money that had been set aside in the December 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), specifically Section 136. Section 136 set up the Advanced Technology Vehicles Loan Program (ATVMLP), and Tesla opposed taking money that was supposed to make cars cleaner and instead use it to just keep the Big Three operating. Now, Tesla is asking for some of those Section 136 green car funds, something that the New York Times columnist Randall Stross doesn't want. Musk said that if the government shells out the $350 million, Tesla could sell 20,000 electric sedans a year by 2011.

[tatsinfla]

except us.....

[RobinOfKingston]

Sorry, but if they don’t build something besides that red thing in the picture, they are building nothing but toys for “rich folks.” If they need gubmint money, the car is not viable. Let it die now.

[Red Badger]

They are planning a sedan, the Model S:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_WhiteStar

[norwaypinesavage]

"It must be a good investment."

What data do you have to support that opinion. I have only seen PR from the con artists backers.

[Red Badger]

Possible looks like this:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/photo-tesla-model-s-sedan-electric-car.php

[Travis T. OJustice]

Tesla was an incredible genius. A weirdo freak, but a genius nonetheless.

[popdonnelly]

“That’s $17,500 subsidy for each car.”

Could that be close to the amount that Tesla will lose on each car?

[Travis T. OJustice]

It must be a good investment...

Go for it.

[USMCPOP]

Put the initial prototype on eBay and sell it as “toast”.

[TChris]

Musk said that if the government shells out the $350 million, Tesla could sell 20,000 electric sedans a year by 2011.

If the Feds would shell out only $10 million, I would be able to work over 2000 hours by the end of 2009!

I'm obviously a much better deal, so send the money to me.

[edcoil]

Saw this on the new “Leverage” - T.V. show last night.

Sounded like a real car.

[Las Vegas Ron]

Nice looking car.....too bad it doesn't have a real motor in it.

Besides, I thought DiFi had this all worked out in the bail out package?

[Vendome]

Wasn’t the Titanic owned by the “White Star” shipping company?

[PLMerite]

They should have made a version with a four-banger. That would probably have sold well enough to finance the all-electric model.

[Red Badger]

The RMS Titanic was an Olympic-class passenger liner owned by the White Star Line and built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. ............

Si...........

[Charles Martel]

The WhiteStar sedan (and doesn’t that name evoke images of a certain ill-fated passenger liner?) is said to be a unique Tesla design. I dunno - looks like someone has been sneaking parts out the back door of a Nissan plant.

[Red Badger]

...looks like someone has been sneaking parts out the back door of a Nissan plant.

[roadcat]

That was my thought, a look-alike of a Nissan. But more like this one I saw at a Nissan roll-out of the 370Z. This one is a Nissan GTR, Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2009. Here's a friend's pic.

Nissan GTR

[Carry_Okie]

Taxpayers' money to subsidize cars for rich people?

Grate idea.

[Doohickey]

At least we got the electric chair out of that spat.