Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors
Albuquerque paper wary about Tesla's Whitestar plant promises
There was much excitement in Albuquerque when Tesla Motors announced in February that its upcoming WhiteStar electric sedan would be built in the New Mexican city. Six months on, a local newspaper, the Albuquerque Tribune, is saying "Don't hold your breath on Tesla Motors plant."
The Tribune recognizes that Tesla's announcement was a big deal, but wonders why no construction work has begun. The editorial reads, in part:
One of the biggest development stories yet to pay a local dividend is the promise of the Tesla Motors electric car plant, which the company said in February it had expected to begin building in the Cordero Mesa West Side business park "at the latest" in April.
Now, as Tribune reporter Erik Siemers' article - "Electric car plant still only on paper" - said Monday, company officials aren't exactly sure when they'll proceed.
Tesla spokesman Daryl Siry told the paper that Tesla wants to have the WhiteStar design nailed down on paper before building the plant and that delays with getting the Roadster's Job One out the door are influencing the Albuquerque timeline. The Tribune also says that Tesla "asked for a 30-day extension on committing to the plant" last month. I've got faith in Tesla, and I hope the cautious steps in New Mexico don't foreshadow a serious delay in getting WhiteStar vehicles to customers in or around 2010.
Related:
[Source: Albuquerque Tribune]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 7:38PM (8/23/2007)
I'm sure what happened is exactlly what Daryl Siry said, that they need to finish what the design of the car will be so that it can fit the design of the plant.
Tesla Motors, young and naive, said that they will be building the plant by now. But then, as has been noted, they realized that they apparently need the plant to fit the car. It makes sense to me.
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Chris 12:53AM (8/24/2007)
Since February things have changed, the company has seen a great deal more press, and have seen sales of the Roadster grow steadily. Competitors like GM (Volt) have also announced more about their plans for PHEVs, perhaps giving more credibility to the market potential of electric cars. As one person speculated in another article, Tesla might even need more factory space than they anticipated. The company also has closed on a $45 million round of funding which they have said will provide the necessary financing to build the factory and put in stores.
Overall I think NM can sleep soundly and not worry about Tesla backing out. Like most new products, be it cars or an operating system -- delays happen and things always take longer than hoped for.
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Kardax 11:43AM (8/24/2007)
New Mexico has a right to be frustrated. From a practical standpoint, they'll make a lot of tax revenue off Tesla's presence in the state... an empty plot of land doesn't do much for anyone.
This sort of situation doesn't help Tesla's buzz factor (which has definitely been fading in the past few months), but all will be forgiven if they start delivering vehicles :)
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Joseph 1:36AM (8/25/2007)
"This sort of situation doesn't help Tesla's buzz factor (which has definitely been fading in the past few months)"
Well, it was really "buzzing" for about 8 months, and I expect there to be even more buzz once the cars are out on the roads later this year.
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