Tesla to partner with Toyota to Build Electric Vehicle

Toyota Motor Corporation and Tesla Motors have announced that they intend to cooperate on the production of electric-vehicles, parts and production system and engineering support. Toyota will purchase a $50 million of Tesla’s common stock issued in a private placement to close immediately subsequent to the closing of Tesla’s currently planned IPO.

Toyota will invest $50 million for a private placement of Tesla common stock and the state of California will provide a sales tax abatement to Tesla for capital equipment expenditures to tool up the plant. Musk estimated that the abatement will amount to about $20 million over the next several years.

The NUMMI - New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. - plant located in Fremont, only 17 miles from Tesla's new headquarters, ceased operations on April 1 after producing its last car, a red Toyota Corolla S believed to be destined for a museum in Japan.

The first car to roll of the production line will be Tesla's Model S electric sedan which costs around $57,400. While Tesla will still be late to the game when compared to the LEAF or the Volt, this amps up the company's reputation ten-fold. For a recent study just named Toyota as one of the top three companies consumers would buy an EV from.




Press Release

Tesla Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation Intend to Work Jointly on EV Development, TMC to Invest in Tesla

May 20, 2010 - Palo Alto, California, U.S.A. - Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) today announced that they intend to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support.

The two companies intend to form a team of specialists to further those efforts. TMC has agreed to purchase $50 million of Tesla's common stock issued in a private placement to close immediately subsequent to the closing of Tesla's currently planned initial public offering.

"I sensed the great potential of Tesla's technology and was impressed by its dedication to monozukuri (Toyota's approach to manufacturing)," said TMC President Akio Toyoda. "Through this partnership, by working together with a venture business such as Tesla, Toyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility that Tesla has. Decades ago, Toyota was also born as a venture business. By partnering with Tesla, my hope is that all Toyota employees will recall that 'venture business spirit,' and take on the challenges of the future."

"Toyota is a company founded on innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainable mobility. It is an honor and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Toyota would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla," said Tesla CEO and cofounder Elon Musk. "We look forward to learning and benefiting from Toyota's legendary engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise."

TMC has, since its foundation in 1937, operated under the philosophy of "contributing to the society through the manufacture of automobiles," and made cars that satisfy its many customers around the world. TMC introduced the first-generation Prius hybrid vehicle in 1997, and produced approximately 2.5 million hybrids in the twelve years since. Late last year, TMC started lease of Prius Plug-in Hybrids, which can be charged using an external power source such as a household electric outlet. The company also plans to introduce EVs into the market by 2012.

Tesla's goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. Palo Alto, CA-based Tesla has delivered more than 1000 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components. It is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production. The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than most sports cars yet produces no emissions. Tesla service rangers make house calls to service Roadsters.


Tesla Motors Announces Factory in Northern California
Silicon Valley factory will become the home of the Model S sedan

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Tesla Motors has purchased the former NUMMI factory in Fremont, California, where it will build the Model S sedan and future Tesla vehicles. As recently as April of 2010, the NUMMI factory was used by Toyota to produce the Corolla and Tacoma vehicles using the industry-leading Toyota production system. It is one of the largest, most advanced and cleanest automotive production plants in the world.

It is capable of producing half a million vehicles per year or approximately 1 percent of total worldwide car production. The award-winning plant was the birthplace of the vaunted Toyota Production System, a widely copied system that lead to dramatic quality improvements and unprecedented manufacturing flexibility and worker satisfaction.

The Model S is expected to be the first pure electric premium sedan and is designed from the ground up to take full advantage of the electric vehicle architecture. The sedan, which Tesla unveiled in March 2009, has an anticipated base price of $49,900, including a federal tax credit, and is intended to deliver the foremost design and technology in the automotive world. With an optional extended-range battery pack, the Model S will travel over 300 miles per charge.

The factory is located in the city of Fremont near Northern California's Silicon Valley, very near Tesla's Palo Alto headquarters. The location means Tesla can hire best-in-class engineers in Silicon Valley. The short distance also ensures a tight feedback loop between engineering, manufacturing and other divisions within the company.

"The Tesla Factory effectively leverages an ideal combination of hardcore Silicon Valley engineering talent, traditional automotive engineering talent and the proven Toyota production system," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "The new Tesla Factory will give us plenty of room to grow."

Toyota produced its last car there just last month. Tesla began discussions to acquire the site this spring, when it was also evaluating opportunities in Downey and Long Beach. The turnkey nature of the facility with its recent production of top quality vehicles and its considerable room for expansion made it stand out from other sites.

Volkswagen Golf Blue-E-Motion Concept

Volkswagen has unveiled the Golf blue-e-motion concept car in a ceremonial presentation today for the German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel.

The Golf blue-e-motion concept car is powered by an electric motor integrated in the engine compartment in front that delivers a total of 113 HP. The car has an autonomy of 150 kilometers and can hit a top speed of 86 mph, while the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 11.8 seconds. The concept car will be undergoing tests in all conceivable weather conditions next year with the use of 500 test cars.

That electric engine is able to develop a maximum power of 85 kW, that means 115 horsepower, but the maximum torques is bigger, of 270 Nm which is obtained almost instantaneously. The engine is powered by a package of litiu-ion batteries placed centrally under the back seat and in the trunk, like this it’s capacity goes from 350 liters to 237 liters. Power comes from a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 26.5 kilowatt-hours.


Press Release

Initial Facts: Golf blue-e-motion - Presentation at Foundation Event
for a "National Platform for Electric Mobility"

• Volkswagen Presents Golf blue-e-motion Concept to German Chancellor

• Golf powered by zero-emissions electric motor to launch in 2013

• Golf blue-e-motion with 150 km range will also satisfy driving needs
  of commuters

Wolfsburg / Berlin, 03 May 2010 - Today, German Chancellor Dr. Angela
Merkel will have a close look at a concept of the future Golf blue-e-motion
in Berlin. Volkswagen is forging new links to the era of electric mobility
with this pure electric drive version of the most successful European car
ever produced. In 2013, after the debut of the Up blue-e-motion (a new city
specialist), the Golf blue-e-motion and the technically closely-related
Jetta blue-e-motion will launch on the market. In the same timeframe, the
Lavida blue-e-motion will also launch in China. The stated objective:
Volkswagen wants to use bestsellers such as the Golf to take electric
vehicles out of their niche model status and to become the market leader for
a new type of sustainable mobility by 2018. This strategy coincides with
planning by the German federal government, which would like to see about one
million electric vehicles on the streets by 2020.

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of
Volkswagen AG: "Future electric cars give us enormous opportunities for
reshaping mobility to be even more sustainable. When it comes to the
environment, however, we must ensure that the energy used to operate these
electric cars is produced from renewable sources. Since automotive
manufacturers do not have any influence on the types of power plants that
are built, the federal government must ensure that eco-friendly energy
sources are utilised. Only then will we experience a genuine transition to a
new era."

In parallel with the electric vehicle offensive, Volkswagen is
accelerating the introduction of new hybrid models as well. The new Touareg
Hybrid is already on the market; in 2012 a hybrid version of the Jetta will
debut, then in 2013 the Golf Hybrid and Passat Hybrid will launch. Just as
methodically, Volkswagen will continue its development work on advanced and
extremely efficient petrol, diesel and natural gas engines (TDI, TSI,
EcoFuel), because it is an indisputable fact that a wide variety of drive
technologies will coexist far into the future. "This makes it all the more
important for the German federal government to proactively support the
introduction of new technologies. With regard to electric mobility, the
current temporary exemption of E-cars from taxes is inadequate," says Prof.
Dr. Winterkorn. The Volkswagen chief continues: "Starting in 2013 - the
launch year for many new electric vehicles - the purchase of cars with
zero-emissions drive systems should be promoted with a sustainability
incentive. France, for example, has already pledged a cash incentive of
several thousand Euros to buyers. We need to send such a signal in Germany
as well. Moreover, and this is no less important, the German federal
government must very quickly make provisions for broad coverage with a
network of recharging stations across the republic, so that the
infrastructure is available at the same time the electric car offensive is
launched. Each new recharging station will also reinforce the public's trust
in the everyday utility of electric vehicles. Both of these components -
state-funded incentives and infrastructure - are crucial and cannot endure
any delay."

Golf blue-e-motion concept car - highly anticipated

The Golf blue-e-motion concept being presented to German Chancellor
Angela Merkel will be powered by an electric motor integrated in the engine
compartment in front, and its power of 85 kW / 115 PS drives the car
silently. Like all electric motors, the motor used in the Golf also outputs
a very high maximum torque (270 Newton-meter) right from a stop. The result:
more fun in zero-emissions driving. The electricity for driving the electric
motor is stored in a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 26.5
kilowatt-hours.

A driving range of up to 150 kilometres can be realised in the Golf
blue-e-motion; the specific range depends on driving style and factors such
as use of the air conditioning and heating system. This range meets the
needs of most German commuters: According to the German Federal Statistical
Office, 6 of every 10 people in the workforce commute by car - on average
45.8 percent drive less than 10 kilometres (one-way commute), another 28.1
percent between 10 and 25 kilometres and 16.2 percent over 25 kilometres.
The Golf blue-e-motion can also handle the driving ranges typically covered
by many service providers. In short-distance driving, the zero-emissions
Golf offers a sustainable solution to private users as well.

More noticeably than on today's modern petrol or diesel engines, the
maximum range of an electric car is severely reduced when its maximum power
is demanded frequently. However, the Golf blue-e-motion - with its top speed
of 140 km/h - provides ample power reserves so that less energy is consumed
while driving, and it can even coast or "sail". "Sailing" occurs whenever
the driver - adopting an anticipatory style of driving - releases the gas
pedal, or more apropos: the electric pedal. As in the drive system of the
Touareg Hybrid, which is being produced today, the motor is then is
disengaged from the drivetrain so that the car can coast with the least
possible drag. The Golf blue-e-motion even recovers kinetically generated
energy by battery regeneration in this mode of driving.

Adapted to the vehicle's architecture, the concept car's battery unit is
located in the bootspace (useful remaining cargo capacity: 237 litres),
under the rear bench seat and in the centre tunnel (between the front
seats). A separate air cooling system ensures a constant thermal environment
in the battery compartment.

As mentioned, all key primary and secondary drive components were
integrated in the engine compartment at the front of the vehicle. In coming
up with this design, developers applied experience they gained in numerous
design studies. As in the E-Up concept car, an integral form of electric
drive is used in the Golf blue-e-motion. Representing the core of the
integral drive are the electric motor together with a transmission and
differential. Energy management is handled by a high-voltage
pulse-controlled inverter, which - along with the 12 Volt electrical
system's DC/DC converter and charging module - is integrated in the compact
integral drive. The entire unit is relatively light and compact. The
five-door and five-seat Golf blue-e-motion, for example, weighs just 205
kilograms more than a comparable Golf BlueMotion TDI with DSG - despite the
fact that electric car batteries are known to be heavy and weigh 1,545
kilograms on the concept car.

Next year, Volkswagen will be testing the drivetrain and energy storage
modules of the future Golf blue-e-motion with a fleet of 500 test cars -
under all conceivable conditions. Essentially, the countdown to production
launch of the future Golf blue-e-motion has already begun. The future is
almost here, especially in Germany, because this is where one million
electric vehicles will be on the roads starting in 2020 - this goal was
resolved by the German federal government on August 2009 and is established
in the "National Development Plan for Electric Mobility." A long road lies
ahead of us until 2020, especially since battery costs certainly need to be
drastically reduced. However, another certainty is that a large number of
the one million electric vehicles of the year 2020 will wear the VW badge.

Golf blue-e-motion Concept Car – Technical Data
Dimensions
Length	4,199 mm
Width	1,786 mm
Height	1,480 mm
Wheelbase	2,575 mm
Drive System
Drive type	Electric motor
Power (max. / continuous)	85 kW / 50 kW
Max. torque	270 Nm
Transmission / Tyres
Transmission	EQ 210 (1-gear transmission)
Final drive type	Front-wheel drive
Tyre size	205/55 R16
Driving Performance
0-100 km/h	11.8 s
Top speed	140 km/h
CO2 emissions with electricity generated from renewable sources	Negligible

Beijing _ 2010 BMW Concept Gran Coupe

BMW unveiled the Concept Gran Coupe today at the Beijing Auto Show, China. the all-new 2010 BMW Concept Gran Coupe has been revealed, finally confirming BMW’s intention to enter the burgeoning four-door coupe market.

The four-door includes a variety of distinct features like the vaulted hood with forward-facing lines, a longer wheelbase, coupe-style roofline and short front overhang. BMW describes the intent of the concept: “the BMW Concept Gran Coupé carries the essence of brand values and the genes of BMW design into the future.”

At 1.4-meters high, the car is 10-cm shorter in height than the 5er and 7er sedan. Current rumors suggest that the car is already approved for production and will be marketed as the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe to rival the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, a car which BMW does not directly compete against at this time.

According to BMW sources, the car is headed for production in 2012 and will be built on the same platform that underpins the 5-Series, 7-Series and the 5-Series Gran Turismo. The production model will be offered with the same mix of 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines as those models.





Press Release

Elegance and dynamic performance at the first BMW Design Night in Beijing.

Munich. With an exclusive Design Night on the evening of the first press day at Auto China in Beijing (April 23rd to May 2nd 2010), BMW provides an in-depth insight into its design philosophy and development strategy. The program of the BMW Design Night is modular in structure and presents extensive background information on the premium automobile manufacturer's innovative design culture. In addition to highlighting the long versions of the BMW 5 Series developed specially for the Chinese market, the main focus is on an elegant 4-door vehicle with striking dynamic proportions: the BMW Concept Gran Coupé.

The concept study on display symbolises the outstanding design expertise of BMW. The BMW Concept Gran Coupé concentrates the fundamental values of the brand. Its body design authentically captures a sense of superior dynamic performance and high-quality elegance. The shaping style, which follows a coherent pattern down to the last detail, convincingly visualises BMW's philosophy as an automobile manufacturer. As with the Concept CS 2007, BMW once again sets new benchmarks in the design of 4-door coupes with a distinctive sporty character.

Based on a powerful tradition in this segment, the BMW Concept Gran Coupé carries the essence of brand values and the genes of BMW design into the future. The concept shows the classic features of all BMW coupes: the long wheelbase, the vaulted bonnet with forward-pointing lines, the set-back greenhouse, the flat silhouette, the coupe-style roof line and the short front overhang reflect the dynamic potential of the vehicle. The surface structures and the fact that the design quality is geared towards perfection illustrate the aspiration of the brand BMW to build 4-door high-performance coupes with the sportiest proportions and the most elegant design.

In the BMW Concept Gran Coupé, BMW presents the vision of a 4-door vehicle which combines the exclusivity of a Gran Turismo with the fascination of a high-performance sports car. The design of the concept study underscores the expertise of the brand BMW in the development of vehicles with a distinctive sporty character which offer space for more than two occupants. This reflects the particular quality of the BMW Group design philosophy, which consists in precisely and authentically translating the specific values of product substance into an aesthetically convincing shaping style. The design process is set through with a passion for aesthetic appeal and dynamic performance, precision and perfection. This is how the uncompromising premium aspiration of a BMW Group product, the unmistakable style of the brand BMW and the precisely defined character of each model are given concrete form.

The body design of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé expresses sporty flair in its ultimate form. The 4-door vehicle clearly signals the very highest level of dynamic performance with its extremely elegant, flat and coupe-like proportions. Stretching the entire length of the vehicle and therefore measuring almost 5 metres, flowing lines dominate the design, giving rise to outstanding aerodynamic levels, just as the low centre of gravity reflects an agile driving response.

The front section is defined by the BMW kidney grille characteristic of the brand - an icon of body design which is not just central but also a dominating element of front design. The kidney grille of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé has a flat appearance, with an asymmetrical side view which emphasises the close attention to detail. The central section with the kidney grille is formally separated from other BMW icons such as the headlights and air inlets. The clarity of the LED front lights highlights the vehicle's precision and premium aspirations. The air inlet runs back an extremely long way into the side section, making the front section appear particularly wide. All elements of the front section appear to merge to form a single, elegantly curved movement.

The sporty, flat silhouette provides an impressive body height of just under 1.40 metres. This makes the BMW Concept Gran Coupé up to 100 millimetres flatter than the BMW 5 Series or the BMW 7 Series Sedan. The roof line tapers off gently into the rear, thereby elongating the vehicle's proportions. The forward-tilted shark nose visually extends the bonnet and creates characteristic BMW proportions with its forward-pointing dynamism. This stretched character is also highlighted by the side lines, where there is a deliberate avoidance of the typical sill line. The flat proportions make the window graphics appear extremely narrow and dynamic at the same time. Another BMW design icon, the Hofmeister kink, is especially strikingly formed - additionally emphasising the exclusive character of the vehicle. The frameless doors give the BMW Concept Gran Coupé a modern character since the glass surfaces appear to merge seamlessly without being interrupted by columns.

At the rear, only design elements such as the lights and tailpipe trim appear to be visible at first sight. The entire rear section appears slimmer and lighter at the centre, though still exuding power and dynamic performance since the volume is reinforced towards the sides. The L-shaped light banks feature a slight, almost subtle curve and the entire design of the lines and surfaces highlights the vehicle's elegant overall appearance. The third brake light, positioned in the rear window, is also fitted with LED technology. It takes up the kink in the roof and illuminates the entire width of the rear window. The powerfully flared wheel arches above the rear axle highlight the particularly sporty character of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé.

Another highly sporty and also elegant feature is the rim concept in which the individual spokes extend deep into the centre of the rim towards the hub, giving the rim a striking three-dimensional quality. The spokes themselves are not solid but relief-milled, giving them a visual lightness.

The sculptural shaping style characteristic of the entire body design of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé permits a unique interaction between concave and convex surfaces. It also enables the light to be selectively reflected and channelled. Thus the exterior mirrors integrated in the window shaft appear very light, blending harmoniously into the side view since their shape assimilates the entire line styling. The BMW Concept Gran Coupé is a further development of the classic design of a notchback sedan in which the individual body sections merge harmoniously into a flat, elongated and at the same time dynamic overall image. The effect of this 4-door vehicle derives not just from specific highlights but from its overall appearance, which authentically reflects its character. The car's dynamic potential is embodied in its proportions and lines, signalling power but also elegance and forward thrust.