Sheet Metal Stamping Simulation

Tesla Motors has acquired the recently closed NUMMI factory in Fremont, California were they will be begin manufacturing their Model S sedan and the other future vehicle models. The NUMMI plant was closed in April of 2010 by Toyota who had the Corolla and Tacoma automobiles manufactured at this plant.

According to a report in the L.A. Times, city officials from Downey, California are disappointed about Tesla Motors acquiring the Northern California location. The Southern California city officials were hoping that Tesla Motors would have signed a lease agreement this Friday for a closed facility location that used to manufacturer space shuttle parts.

The Fremont auto plant has the ability to manufacture up to 500,000 vehicles each year. Tesla Motors said that the Model S is anticipated as being the first pure electric premium sedan and the vehicle can travel over 300 miles on one charge with the optional extended-range battery system. The company has unveiled the sedan in March of 2009 and is planning for a base price of $49,900 for the vehicle. This price would include a federal tax credit they say.

Tesla Motors is headquartered in Northern California in the city of Palo Alto which makes it a logical pick for their factory to be located a short distance away in Fremont.

Besides Downey, California, Tesla Motors was also considering a manufacturing location in Long Beach, which is also in Southern California.