Tesla Motors Collaborates With Toyota
By Arnab Ghosh, Gaea News NetworkFriday, May 21, 2010
CALIFORNIA (GaeaTimes.com)- In a recent development, Japanese car maker Toyota Corporation has tied up with Tesla Motors based In California for making new generation eco-friendly electric cars. Under this agreement, Tesla will purchase a closed Toyota JV Plant in California. The news has been confirmed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of the state and former Hollywood action hero. The companies will share technologies expertise and engineering support to develop new electric and eco-friendly vehicles. Incidentally Toyota has always tried to project an environment friendly image with its Prius Hybrid models. However, it is now trying to redeem its image after being battered by a series of massive car recalls worldwide.
The emission rules in California are stricter compared to other regions and Toyota wants to bounce back with a new range of eco-friendly cars. That explains why it has opted to tie up with Tesla Motors, a regional company. Akio Toyoda, the CEO of Toyota Motors expressed his interest about the technology used by Tesla motors. The new car under the joint venture will be produced in the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc or NUMMI plant. This plant was earlier used by GM and Toyota and got closed in April. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California governor said that reopening the plant will result in creation of around 1000 jobs.
The US government has played a proactive role in making electric cars popular but the Tesla cars are yet to penetrate mass market owing to their steep cost. However, the joint venture may help Tesla Motors to bring out lower priced models.
