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Toyota & Tesla Team Up on Electric Cars in Cali

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Cacti, May 20, 2010.

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  1. Cacti

    Cacti Poleikleng

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    This morning I received word from Tesla that they would be having an announcement this evening, and while details are a little sketchy right now and things differ depending on who you ask, it looks like Tesla and Toyota are teaming up to produce an electric car. According to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the partnership between Tesla and Toyota will take a Toyota model and electrify it. This morning while speaking at an environmental event at Google HQ, the Governor said, "Today is a very exciting day for me because ... I am also going over to the Bay Area to talk about Tesla and Toyota forming a partnership, where they take one of the Toyota cars and make them electric," Schwarzenegger said. "And again, they're going to do that here in California," he added. "Because in California, we have the laws in place, the laws are consistent and this is why one company after the other is coming into our state and producing those electric cars, and doing innovative stuff with solar, innovative stuff with windmills." Some other sources are saying that the agreement has to do with using NUMMI's facilities to produce the Model S, though NUMMI's facility is way too large to only produce Tesla cars. I'm still looking for an announcement regarding a production facility in Downey, CA. The press conference is scheduled for 5pm Pacific, so I'll continue to provide information as I get it. via SacBee
     
    #1 Cacti, May 20, 2010
  2. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    awesome!
     
    #2 V8Cobrakid, May 20, 2010
  3. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    This is neither from Tesla nor Toyota, just a political speech from Arnold.
    The most likely scenario is Tesla will be buying chassis from Toyota like the ending contract with Lotus for the Roadster.
     
    #3 bedrock8x, May 20, 2010
  4. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    My information as of right now...

    Toyota and Tesla to Make EV Babies? | PriusChat

     
    #4 Danny, May 20, 2010
  5. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    wow, wonder how many 2nd thoughts Leaf buyers are having. by this December, there could be several options available
     
    #5 DaveinOlyWA, May 20, 2010
  6. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    this would be HUGE if NUMMI was opened back up... those job losses hit the bay area pretty hard...
     
    #6 V8Cobrakid, May 20, 2010
  7. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Drool...
     
    #7 HTMLSpinnr, May 20, 2010
  8. hampdenwireless

    hampdenwireless Active Member

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    How would Toyota have an electric car ready by December?
     
    #8 hampdenwireless, May 20, 2010
  9. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    There's no way the Toyota/Tesla would be available by December. Given Tesla's capacity, it would probably be two years away, at least. But it would still be a great addition to the growing choice of EVs. Perhaps I'll sell my Leaf and trade up when it becomes available. :D
     
    #9 daniel, May 20, 2010
  10. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    I really hope this works out. I really do.

    Goodness, that Tesla S is a fine looking automobile...
     
    #10 Codyroo, May 20, 2010
  11. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    None what-so-ever.
    This is awesome news, the more choices the better. I have my reservation for a highway capable EV.
    If by some miracle Toyota/Tesla can bring one to market sooner, I will buy from them.
     
    #11 Zythryn, May 20, 2010
  12. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    #12 TonyPSchaefer, May 20, 2010
  13. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Toyota and Tesla Partnering to Make Electric Cars - WSJ.com

    Toyota is investing $US 50 million in Tesla. That is not a lot, in the scheme of things. Sounds more like a case of Toyota hedging it's bets against full EV beating PHEV.

    That is cool, but I'm not blown away by the significance of the story.
     
    #13 SageBrush, May 20, 2010
  14. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Yep, small hedge bet, the real 'investment' may be the Nummi agreement.
     
    #14 efusco, May 20, 2010
  15. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Moved this thread back into the News forum to avoid multiple threads.
     
    #15 Danny, May 20, 2010
  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I do like the idea of two of my favorite auto companies intertwining a bit and enriching each others capabilities.
     
    #16 SageBrush, May 20, 2010
  17. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

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    All these predictions about EVs being a tiny market share are dead wrong.

    Once the public gets a taste of EVs and the myriad benefits, companies won't be able to build them fast enough.
     
    #17 UsedToLoveCars, May 20, 2010
  18. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    To me, the Nummi plant purchase is huge news, the 50M investment by Toyota is also big news.
    I was starting to have doubts as it was taking Tesla far too long to break ground for their new plant.
    Purchasing the Nummi plant was brilliant on many levels. Hopefully it will allow them to get the model S out on schedule:)
     
    #18 Zythryn, May 20, 2010
  19. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    LOL...ya good question, or is it?

    i think i was going for a different line of thought there
     
    #19 DaveinOlyWA, May 20, 2010
  20. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    This makes sense. Tesla is getting battery from Sanyo. Sanyo was bought by Panasonic EV which Toyota own majority in.
     
    #20 usbseawolf2000, May 20, 2010
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