Tesla Roadster production now set to continue in to 2012
Despite revealing last month that Tesla Roadster production would end in 2011, Tesla has announced production will now continue in to 2012, and increase by 40%.
What, you didn’t know production on the Tesla Roadster was going to end? Well, it was.
When Tesla filed documents ahead of its cash call last month we discovered, hidden away in the reams of bumph, that the Tesla Roadster would end production in 2011. Which seemed a bit strange. But the answer was clear – Lotus.
Lotus make the underpinnings for the Tesla Roadster. And Lotus are ending production of the current Elise/Exige, so there would be no more platforms for Tesla to use. For some reason Tesla saw the solution to that as stopping Roadster production in 2011 until they were ready with a new Roadster in 2013. Which with the Tesla saloon car – the Tesla Model S – not due in to prodcution until 2012 (and that’s a wish rather than a fact) it would mean Tesla producing nothing for a year – at least.
But it would seem that someone has pointed out to Tesla that this may not be the most sensible and business-like decision ever made. Why not buy up a few extra platforms from Lotus this year and stick them in a cupboard for 2011/2012, someone has obviously said to Tesla. Doh! Never thought of that.
So with a lock-up rented to shove the Elise platforms in, Tesla has revealed in their Newsletter that production of the Roadster will – after all – continue in to 2012, and that they’re upping production capacity by 40%. They don’t actually say how, but they’ve obviously got a deal from Lotus on extra platforms, so at least in theory they can churn out more cars.
BOGOF, perhaps?
Have your say - leave a comment