COOL WHEELS
Albuquerque Welcomes Electric Sports Car Maker to Town
By Headwaters News, 2-20-07
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A headline on the Tesla Motor’s Web site reads “They’re going fast!” And though this electric luxury sports car can reportedly go from zero to 60 in four seconds, the headline is referring to sales of the actual cars. The California-based company tore through its initial run so fast, it’s taking orders for the 2008 models and building a new production plant.
For weeks, speculation ran wild as to where that plant would end up, but last week, the decision was made to build in Albuquerque, reports the Albuquerque Tribune. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez joined Tesla CEO and co-founder Martin Eberhard and board Chairman Elon Musk (the man who started PayPal) to announce the plan to locate the plant in New Mexico. The new manufacturing facility will produce at least 10,000, five-person sedans and create 400 high-paying jobs.
New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans said the company will receive about $20 million in incentives, including two $3.5 million capital outlay appropriations to build infrastructure at Tesla’s proposed Cordero Mesa location. The company was attracted to the state’s welcoming attitude along with Richardson’s clean energy agenda.
Cars start at $50,000, so start recycling those cans.
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