The Tesla Roadster and soon to be sedan are now both now going to be manufactured in California, or so a report in the San Francisco Chronicle and elsewhere are noting. Governor Schwarzenegger included some incentives that have kept the electric auto maker from moving manufacturing to New Mexico (besides the Governator ordering one unit for himself). But it appears that the State of California is giving it more than mere tax incentives.
It appears that this is going to get equipment leases from the state, as well as additional grants. What is interesting here is that this gets the company even further on the map. There have been recent reports that Tesla was in the market for another huge financing. Whether or not that comes about now is not certain. Other reports show that the company may even supply battery units to Daimler or other car manufacturers.
What is becoming fairly certain is that Wall Street expects to see Tesla file for an initial public offering. As capital intensive as these businesses are, the company needs to have a steady vehicle (no pun intended) to be able to raise the capital it needs.
Think of the good news.... At least one US auto manufacturer will be considered cool.
