Schwarzenegger, Lockyer say Tesla promises to be a sweet ride for state

By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com Editor

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tours the Tesla Motor headquarters in San Carlos Monday: Getty Images PhotoGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the Bay Area Monday to announce that a unique all-electric car company has agreed to set up a manufacturing facility in the state for its long-awaited sedan model.

Speaking with State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and other state officials, Schwarzenegger said he was enthusiastic about Tesla Motor's agreeing to build its so-called Model S vehicle in California. The company in recent months has turned heads in automobile circles for its lightning-quick, all-electric two seat roadsters.

"As many of you know, my administration does not like to lose," the governor quipped during a press conference at Tesla headquarters in San Carlos. "I wasn't about to let the company that builds the sexiest, highest-performing electric car go to another state."

Schwarzenegger and Lockyer said that through a multimillion-dollar series of state-backed financial incentives designed to promote "green" technologies and specifically, zero emission vehicles, Tesla officials were convinced to build their new manufacturing facility in California and not New Mexico, a state they were considering.

"These vehicles can play a big part in helping California successfully implement its groundbreaking laws to fight climate change," Lockyer said. "By offering this financial incentive, our goal is to ensure zero-emission vehicles realize their full potential in our state. In the bargain, we believe the policy will bolster our emerging green economy, create good-paying jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

Unlike the roadster, which is going for about $100,000 a copy, the S model is designed to be a five passenger, multi-use sport sedan with a driving range of approximately 225 miles on one charge. The projected cost of the sedan is $60,000, company officials said.

Ze'ev Drori, Tesla's chief executive officer, said that with the state's help a new part of the automobile industry is being born.

"You are witnessing the debut of a new car company - a company like no other. Tesla is a company dedicated to the exclusive production of zero-emission vehicles," Drori said.

Officials said that once the Model S plant is built and running, it will employ some 400 people in both blue and white collar positions. The new plant's location was not disclosed Monday.

The governor, well known for his love of sport scars, SUVs and motorcycles, gushed about the performance of the high-tech battery-driven vehicle when he took it for a spin. Like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Schwarzenegger is one of several celebrity clients that Tesla counts among its customers.

"It jerked my head back when I stepped on the peddle," Schwarzenegger recalled of his test drive. "It felt like a turbo Porsche."

JEFF MITCHELL is a PolitickerCA.com Editor and can be reached via email at jeff.mitchell@politickerca.com.

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Comments

The Tesla has already accomplished all it needs to

posted by

I am amazed at the brainless posters who do not realize a paradigm shift when they see one. You must be one of those people who thinks an accomplishment begins with the final results instead of the first efforts. It is really irrelevant what happens to the Tesla Motors company. What they did was to proove to a sufficiently large number of people that from a materials and science perspective there are viable alternative to the ICE car. When a ZE car appeals only to the most granola of us, there is no mainstream market interest. When a ZE car appeals to joe 6 pack, and has the added benefit of dispelling many myths, that is power.

Because of the Tesla I know people who would have never considered a "whimpy electric" car, become anxious early adopters just waiting for the right product. Now that at least some people are willing to commit, there is a more mainstream market. If the market is able to get a reasonable start, the pure economics will seal the deal.

07/03/08 4:44 pm

The Tesla can't accomplish anything

posted by

I'm amazed at the brainless media giving so much press to a vehicle that cannot possibly have any influence on anything, emissions or anything else. Does the media comprehend just how insignificant the Tesla realy is? 250 million cars in the U.S. and journalists are shilling for a brand whose entire year's output doesn't equal 1 percent of the cars sent to the crusher every day.
Oh, I can see we're making great headway in the energy field : first 5 years of massive windmill construction to produce less than 1% of unreliable, unpredictable, mostly useless electricity, at a cost in the billions and hundreds of millions of taxpayer subsidy dollars, and now plenty of stories about a car that has no conceivable significance with respect to anything. Good job, media boys. Keep it up!!

07/02/08 5:11 pm