Production at the Former NUMMI Site

Tesla has announced the production site for the Model S, which will offer left-hand drive models from 2012 and right-hand drive models from mid-2012. The production facility for the Model S is located in Fremont, Alameda County, California. This site is the former location of a plant that GM closed in 1982, which was then operated by NUMMI, a joint venture between GM and Toyota, from 1984.

NUMMI garnered attention for its adoption of Toyota's Kanban system by GM. It produced the Chevrolet Nova, based on the E80 Toyota Sprinter, but dissolved in 2009 due to the end of the GM-Toyota partnership.

A portion of the former NUMMI site will apparently serve as the main production base for the Model S, Roadster, and the rumored crossover, the Model X. Tesla aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs by establishing mass production capabilities, with the Model S set to begin mass production in mid-2012 at an annual rate of 20,000 units, increasing to 40,000 units by 2013.

According to CEO Elon Musk, the number of Model S reservations as of September 2011 was 6,000, a steady increase from 4,000 in the spring, a fact he proudly shared.

Reservations have already begun in Japan, with the Model S priced at ¥3.5 million. A deposit of ¥500,000 is required to secure a reservation.

A Sports Model of the Model S is Also Available

While the Model S has been announced with a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 190 km/h, a more performance-oriented sports model is reportedly in development. This version is expected to achieve 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in under 4.5 seconds, rivaling the performance of cars like the BMW M5, which Tesla considers a competitor.

Regarding the crucial driving range, the base model offers 255 km, with provisions for rapid charging in 45 minutes or a battery swap in one minute. Optional batteries will also be available, offering ranges of 370 km and 480 km. The expected lifespan of the 42 kWh lithium-ion battery is seven years or 160,000 km. While the battery manufacturer has not been disclosed, it is highly likely to be Panasonic, which invested $30 million in the company last year.

Unlike the Roadster, which is based on the Lotus Elise, the Model S was designed from the ground up as an EV, allowing for greater design flexibility and a lower center of gravity. It boasts excellent aerodynamic performance and high torsional rigidity, featuring innovative, in-house developed components like its extruded aluminum suspension. It is no exaggeration to say that the success of Tesla hinges on this ambitious Model S.