atlaw4u
03-18-2008, 02:21 PM
The Tesla Roadster takes a big step toward becoming a reality on American roads. (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=125232)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Tesla_Roadster2.jpgAlnita Lienert - Edmunds - March 18, 2008
When it finally hits the streets, it becomes the most fuel efficient automoible in America by default :) -- Ed.
SAN CARLOS, California — Production of the 2008 Tesla Roadster began on Monday, and its top executive described the milestone as "a watershed for the new era of electric vehicles." But there was a bit of a caveat amid all the champagne popping.
"While this is an important milestone for the company and a watershed for the new era of electric vehicles, we still have a lot of work to do," wrote Ze'ev Drori, president and CEO of Tesla Motors in his corporate blog on March 17. "Our key focus with the roadster will be on gradually ramping up our production in a deliberate and controlled manner, reaching a rate of over 100 roadsters per month early next year."
In a separate statement, the electric-car startup reported that the 2008 model-year roadster is sold out. "Tesla is currently taking reservations for the 2009 model-year Tesla Roadster," it said. "To date, over 900 Tesla Roadsters have been reserved in total. Through the course of development of the roadster, Tesla Motors has established a leadership position in EV technology which it plans to extend over the next years, leading to the introduction of its next model, a five-passenger sport sedan, in 2010."
Curiously, as of Tuesday morning, there was no reaction to the news of the production start of the roadster from Martin Eberhard, the deposed co-founder of Tesla Motors. In a January 7 posting, Eberhard's Tesla Founders blog criticized the roadster as "a high-priced and impractical sports car." He also said that he planned to start a new company, possibly even a rival electric-car company... http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=125232
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Tesla_Roadster2.jpgAlnita Lienert - Edmunds - March 18, 2008
When it finally hits the streets, it becomes the most fuel efficient automoible in America by default :) -- Ed.
SAN CARLOS, California — Production of the 2008 Tesla Roadster began on Monday, and its top executive described the milestone as "a watershed for the new era of electric vehicles." But there was a bit of a caveat amid all the champagne popping.
"While this is an important milestone for the company and a watershed for the new era of electric vehicles, we still have a lot of work to do," wrote Ze'ev Drori, president and CEO of Tesla Motors in his corporate blog on March 17. "Our key focus with the roadster will be on gradually ramping up our production in a deliberate and controlled manner, reaching a rate of over 100 roadsters per month early next year."
In a separate statement, the electric-car startup reported that the 2008 model-year roadster is sold out. "Tesla is currently taking reservations for the 2009 model-year Tesla Roadster," it said. "To date, over 900 Tesla Roadsters have been reserved in total. Through the course of development of the roadster, Tesla Motors has established a leadership position in EV technology which it plans to extend over the next years, leading to the introduction of its next model, a five-passenger sport sedan, in 2010."
Curiously, as of Tuesday morning, there was no reaction to the news of the production start of the roadster from Martin Eberhard, the deposed co-founder of Tesla Motors. In a January 7 posting, Eberhard's Tesla Founders blog criticized the roadster as "a high-priced and impractical sports car." He also said that he planned to start a new company, possibly even a rival electric-car company... http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=125232