Tesla Wants $400 Million Bailout Loan - Anyone Else?

Everyone wants a piece of the (bailout) pie; even tiny Tesla Motors. The Associate Press reported that the Silicon Valley-based electric car joined Detroit's Big Three automakers in their bid to get a $25 billion government aid. Tesla was said to have applied for about $400 million in no to low-interest loans to fund two projects, details of which weren't revealed. But unfortunately for Tesla, GM, Ford and Chrysler LLC failed spectacularly to make a convincing case for the $25 billion bailout with the Congress telling them to return in December with a viable turnaround plan - click here for more details.

And while one could somewhat justify bailing out the Big Three to preserve jobs and help the U.S. economy from falling into a deeper recession, what's the big deal if Tesla goes bankrupt? We're talking about a small company that builds one limited production sportscar -the Roadster- and which might make another one in a few years time - the 4-door sedan Model-S. So what?

Via: TTAC , Source: Mlive / Associated Press

Tesla Roadster Tunes in to BRABUS: First Modified Electric Car

The first modified electric car comes from BRABUS - or at least that's what the German firm that specialized until now on Mercedes-Benz and Smart models, supports in its press release. For its first take on an all-electric vehicle, BRABUS limited modifications to the Tesla Roaster's interior/exterior styling and wheel/tire options.

However, the Germans did develop the so-called 'space sound generator' system with which the occupants of the Tesla Roadsters can choose from several simulated engine sounds including that of a V8 engine, a racecar engine and two futuristic soundscapes named 'Beam' and 'Warp' - make a bet that someone will find a geeky hack? BRABUS claims that the volume of the sound depends on the momentary power output of the electric motor.

For the Roadster's appearance, the German tuning firm offers a new 'matte white' paintjob combined with a mild bodykit that includes a carbon-fiber front lip, daytime running lights integrated into the front grille and carbon-fiber air inlets. In the rear there's a rear wing and a rear diffuser, both made from carbon fiber while the round taillights are accentuated by matte-white applications.

The exterior package is complemented by the new BRABUS Monoblock S light-alloy wheels in size 7Jx18'' in front and 8.5Jx19'' in back wrapped around Pirelli P-Zero high-performance tires in size 215/35 ZR 18 in front and in size 255/30 ZR 19 on the rear axle. According to Brabus, the tires were developed to deliver minimum rolling resistance.

Inside the cabin modifications include new scuff plates, two-tone color sports seats in perforated lightweight leather and Alcantara. The cockpit also features white seams while the vehicle floor is upholstered with lightweight leather.

The BRABUS-prepped Tesla Roadster will make its world debut at the ESSEN motorshow in Germany on the 29th of November.

Tesla Roadster Test Drive Turns into 100MPH Crash Test in France

Since there aren't many Tesla Roadsters out on the roads, whenever one of them is involved in an accident, its headline news. What makes this Tesla Roadster crash story even more intriguing is the fact that, according to the crash-happy crew over at Wreckedexotics, the man behind the wheel of the all-electric sports car was a sales director for Tesla. The man took an unnamed passenger for a demonstration drive somewhere in southern France on Wednesday, October 29th. It is reported that he was going around 100mph or 160km/h when he tried to make a turn that ended up in what you see here.

Aside from the speed factor, wet roads and poor visibility are said to have contributed to the accident. As you can from the pictures, the crash was pretty serious with the passenger being ejected from his seat upon impact. Miraculously, both managed to escape this horrid accident alive, with the sales director suffering a broken hand, some minor bruises and a lot of explaining to do while the passenger was recently released from hospital.

Source: WreckedExotics

Tesla Lifts the Skirt on 2011 Model-S All Electric Sedan

*Photo has been removed upon request - See the vehicle in the link below the article

A couple of weeks after Silicon Valley's famed electric carmaker Tesla Motors shocked us with the announcement that it's running low on cash and as a result, it had to lay off people and delay the presentation of its highly anticipated Model-S sports sedan until at least 2011, the company surprised us once again with the release of the first ever teaser shot of the four-door electric sedan. The man you see partially lifting the veil off the Model-S in the picture above is Tesla's recently hired design director Franz von Holzhausen who previously worked for Mazda North America and is considered to be responsible for the Japanese automaker's new look. -Continued

The teaser shot doesn't reveal any specific design details about the Model-S other than it will boast a carbon fiber diffuser integrated in the rear bumper. Speaking with Businessweek, Tesla's chief investor Elon Musk who recently took over as the company's CEO from Ze'ev Drori, said that the Model S will go up against cars like the Lexus GS 450h hybrid, the diesel Mercedes E-class, and the Chevrolet Volt "Our sedan will crush everything out there," Musk said.

Related Story:

• Tesla Motor Faces Economic Troubles

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: BusinessWeek

Tesla Shock: Financial Crisis brings New CEO, Layoffs and Delay of Model-S

The economic turmoil that has devastated the stock market is also battering Tesla Motors that is running dangerously low on cash. In a surprise announcement, the Silicon Valley-based firm's main investor, executive chairman and product architect (yep, all those together), Elon Musk said that he plans to take over the reigns from current CEO Ze'ev Drori who will remain on the board of directors as vice-chairman. Musk stated that in order for the company to stay afloat, there will be necessary job cuts and a delay of the production of the firm's forthcoming 4door sedan called Model-S. -Continued

"Our goal as a company is to be cash-flow positive within six to nine months. To do so, we must continue to ramp up our production rate, improve Roadster contribution margin and reduce operating expenses. At the same time, we must maintain high production quality and excellent customer service," Musk said in a statement.

The company's new CEO also decided that Tesla will focus on its two revenue producing business lines - the Roadster EV and powertrain sales to other car companies, meaning that everything else is on hold.

While Musk did not reveal the exact number of layoffs, he did announce that some headcount reduction will be done due to consolidation of operations as Tesla will move its vehicle engineering departments to its new HQ in San Jose, closing the Rochester Hills office near Detroit.

F1 Champion Damon Hill to Drive Tesla Roadster in Green Race

Former Formula One World Champion, Damon Hill will sit behind the wheel of a Tesla Roadster in the GreenFleet Capital Arrive ‘N’ Drive 08 event, which will start on London’s Horse Guards Parade on 31 July, 2008. The eco-friendly challenge aims to promote the latest innovations to reduce emissions and improve air quality in London. The Tesla Roadster will be among the 20 public and private sector drivers taking part in the 33 mile-course to demonstrate the use of electric power as a viable alternative to conventional fuel sources. -Continued

Talking about the event, Darryl Siry, senior vice president of sales, marketing and service, Tesla Motors said: “It is a huge privilege for Damon Hill to present the Tesla Roadster to car enthusiasts on the capital’s streets. This will be a perfect opportunity for people to witness high performance and fun motoring without the need to compromise the environment.”

Tesla to Build Mass Market Electric Sedan in California

Tesla’s forthcoming battery-powered 4-door sedan model that is scheduled to enter the market in 2010 will be manufactured at a facility in the state of California (just like the Roadster) and not in Albuquerque, New Mexico as it was previously announced. Tesla Motors and Californian Governor Schwarzenegger made the announcement at a joint press conference at the company’s San Carlos headquarters.

“Today’s announcement is incredible news for California’s economy and its environment,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “If California was a baseball team this would be like winning the first round draft pick and recruiting a player who is a perfect fit on our roster because Tesla Motors and its all-electric cars belong in California,” the Governor added. -Continued

Ze’ev Drori, President and CEO of Tesla Motors, remarked, “Tesla has achieved an extraordinary accomplishment. We are the only automobile company today delivering full performance battery-electric vehicles to our customers. Make no mistake - we are not a niche player with a car only for the rich and famous. As our agreement with the state so clearly demonstrates, we are building a high volume ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE, manufactured in California for mid-range family use. And we aren’t going to stop there. We will continue on and build even more affordable cars.

You are witnessing the debut of a new car company, a company unlike all others, a company with a disruptive technology, a company dedicated for the exclusive production of Zero Emission Vehicles.”