Michael Kanellos
Tesla to Unfurl Sedan Strategy With Schwarzenegger June 30, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Tesla Motors will later today announce a “significant development” in their plans for a four-door passenger sedan, and the special guest is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
That could mean that Tesla will manufacture a significant portion of the car in California. Tesla, like a lot of green tech companies, has shopped around its plans for a factory to various states. The company talked to New Mexico and Michigan. In these situations, whichever state gives the biggest incentive package wins. Governor Arnold has been trying to get more green companies to locate in California and Tesla happens to be located in San Carlos, California.
Alternatively, Tesla may just announce the formal name of the car (right now it is code-named White Star) and a more firm launch date. Right now, the car is targeted for production in late 2010, according to the press conference announcement sent out by Tesla. Earlier, the company talked about production starting possibly in late 2009, so it sounds like White Star has been pushed out a bit.
So why would Arnold be there? To pick up his Roadster. He’s on the list for one. I actually ran into Arnold in July 2006 for the unveiling of the prototype in Santa Monica. Arnold rode in the car, got out, and pronouced it “fantastic.” He then got into a huge SUV with a bodyguard and drove away. So much for green.
I got to ride in the car after Arnold. It was pretty fantastic.
The press conference starts at 11:20 PST.
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