From AutoBlogGreen (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/17/tesla-roadster-starts-production-today/)


After building a couple of dozen prototypes over the last two years and a single previous production model last December, Tesla Motors officially started series production of their Roadster today. Production unit number 2 started making it's way down the assembly line at the Lotus factory in Hethel England today and should be completed in the next couple of days. At this point these "production" cars are actually more like a late Beta or Release Candidate 1, given that they still have known issues. These first units are equipped with the original motor and modified single speed transmission to ensure durability. What Tesla calls Drivetrain 1.5 is currently undergoing testing and verification in preparation for a running change later this year. Until the updated motor, transmission, and power electronics module are ready, the build rate will be held at about one car per week. Once the new hardware is ready, the rate will be quickly ramped up to 15-20 cars per week. The car being built today is destined for Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard. This and other early build cars will be retrofitted with the new drivetrain hardware once it has been validated.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/03/tesla_drive_b_27-450.jpg

I hope Tesla makes it.

I hope Tesla makes it.
With the ridiculous price its selling for I don't think its going to make it.
Nothing about that car says $90k.
I still hope it makes it too.

I hope Tesla makes it.
Me too. I would love to get one of these for a DD.

I hope to god the pricing falls like other electronics :)

With the ridiculous price its selling for I don't think its going to make it.
Nothing about that car says $90k.
I still hope it makes it too.
This car was created to cause excitement. A boring looking prius-looking vehicle wouldn't do that. Once economies of scale on the new tech is established the prices should come down. They're already working on a more affordable sedan. The one good thing is that they have tons of money both from venture capitalists and the fact that one of the co-founders (Eberhard??) created paypal, which was sold to ebay for $$$$$$$$$.

GO TESLA! my dream house would be covered with solar panels and have one of these in the garage.

its a lotus elise !!! :lol: :lol:

j/p

i remember watching a show reviewing this and the CEO or whatever went mantle when people kept bothering him about it..

With the ridiculous price its selling for I don't think its going to make it.
Nothing about that car says $90k.
I still hope it makes it too.


Except the whole "crazy technological achievement" thing. ;)

There's no other car in existence that can really do what it does. If they use good business practices, they'll make it.

I'm pretty stoked. Noone that I work with agreed that they would build it, Now I have proof.

Nothing about that car says $90k.


What are you talking about? How much is an elise? Last time I checked (yesterday) a decent electric drivetrain without batteries (that is a good bit slower) is $25k, the advanced battery pack in the tesla and its monitors are expensive as well.

GO TESLA! my dream house would be covered with solar panels and have one of these in the garage.


My sentiments, exactly. :o

With the ridiculous price its selling for I don't think its going to make it.
Nothing about that car says $90k.
I still hope it makes it too.

The first 100 cars to be produced sold out in 3 weeks (back in 06), 08 production is sold out, and Tesla is taking orders for 09. I'd be more worried about Ford, or Chrysler.

I am so ready for a hub motored, electronically controlled AWD, instant torque, battery powered, gas guzzler killer!