Tesla Takes 520 Model S Reservations in a Week; Delivers 104 Roadsters in March

April 2, 2009 – Vol.14 No.2

Tesla Takes 520 Model S Reservations in a Week; Delivers 104 Roadsters in March.

Tesla launched the all-electric, seven passenger family sedan March 26, and orders immediately began streaming in online and at showrooms in California.

“Frankly the number of cars reserved in the first week has exceeded our optimistic internal projections,” said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Enthusiasm surrounding the Model S is proof that there’s pent-up demand for more affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles – including those made in America.”

The $5,000 reservation fee for the Model S is refundable.

The Model S will likely be the world’s first mass-produced, highway-capable electric vehicle when production begins in late 2011. The company has applied for a $350 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program, which would be used to build the Model S assembly plant in California.

Tesla also is taking reservations for the Model S Signature Edition with a $40,000 reservation fee. Tesla will produce only 2,000 Signature Edition cars, which will be the first built and have unique interior and exterior features. Signature Edition cars will be evenly split between U.S. and European customers.

Tesla delivered 104 Roadsters to customers in March, marking the first triple-digit delivery month in the company’s history. Tesla delivered over 170 cars in the first quarter – more than the total delivered in 2008. Tesla has delivered about 320 Roadsters so far.

Tesla plans to introduce more affordable cars and partner with other automakers to help them produce mass-market EVs. Tesla announced in January it is partnering with Daimler AG to produce the battery packs and chargers for at least 1,000 Smart EVs. (4/1/09)

Links:

Tesla Motors
http://www.teslamotors.com

--- Tesla Takes Wraps Off the Model S.

--- Obama, the Economy and the Age of Electric Cars.

Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No