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Elon Musk reportedly sets trap for loose lipped employees

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:46:00 +0000

The breathless style of writing at which Valleywag has made a name for itself isn’t the sort of thing we often link to, but we’ll make an exception today. According to the Gawker team , Tesla CEO Elon Musk is not making any friends in his own company; in fact, Valleywag claims that Musk recently tried to pinpoint people on his team who may be leaking confidential information to the media. The tactic? Sending each employee a slightly altered version of an email about stopping the leaks and then checking to see which version made it to the media. It reportedly backfired in a pretty big way. Valleywag reports that Musk did not let his own executives know of this plan to smoke out the leaker. One of them unknowingly forwarded his version of the email within the company, which made it clear to the rest of Tesla’s workforce that they were being set up. We contacted Tesla about this story, but got a simple “No Comment.” That’s fine for us, but it might be a long, long month before the Model S unveiling on the 26th . Follow the source link to Car Blog Greena version of the email, presumably one of many, that Musk sent to his employees. Thanks to Yanquetino for the tip! [Source: Valleywag ] Auto Blog: Etc. , EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Green Daily Elon Musk reportedly sets trap for loose lipped employees originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tesla Roadster Canada has not always been the friendliest territory for electric cars, but that’s changing . After the Tesla empire officially expanded to Chicago yesterday, the company has announced it will join the northern rush and is now ready to take orders in Canada. Canadian buyers will have to wait until the fourth quarter of 2009 to actually get their cars, but they should feel free to sign up for the $109,000 electric car whenever they feel like it. Oh, and that’s the U.S. price; the cost for Canadians will be set later this year) The first deliveries will be made out of upcoming Tesla “regional centers” in Seattle and New York, but Canada-based stores are in the works. In the announcement of the Canadian sales, Tesla highlights one big difference between American and Canadian Roadsters: the electricity used to power the vehicles is much more likely to be clean up north: Canada and Norway are the only two countries worldwide where the majority of electricity comes from renewable resources, including run-of-river small hydro, wind, biomass, geothermal and solar energy. An EV recharged from the current Canadian grid, on average, would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 85 percent compared to an equivalent gasoline-powered vehicle. In hydro-dominant British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba, the reduction would be an impressive 98 percent. Click here for some fun video of the Tesla Roadster undergoing ice testing, and see more images of Roadsters in the snow here . Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster [Source: Tesla] Continue reading Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09 Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , North America Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09

Geneva 2009: Brabus smart ed revealed

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:12:00 +0000

Click above for a gallery of the Brabus smart ed The Brabus Tesla Roadster is no longer the only electric car that the tuning company will make for you. In Geneva today, Daimler unveiled the Brabus smart ed. The tricked out door frame and interior are just two of the ways that Brabus has made this lime green smart ed their own. The car also offers LED daytime driving lights and a white soft top. Daimler makes a point of saying that the Brabus smart ed’s “fine natural materials demonstrate harmony with the environment” but doesn’t exactly explain how that works. There is harmony between the ed logo on the outside and on the headrests , though. If you like the idea of Brabus tuning up a smart fortwo, but want a gasoline engine to go in it, Daimler’s got you covered . Gallery: Brabus smart ed [Source: Daimler] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , SMART , Geneva Motor Show , Green Daily Geneva 2009: Brabus smart ed revealed originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Officially, official: Tesla Motors store coming to Chicago

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Click for a high-res gallery of Tesla’s Menlo Park Store Rumors and promises of a Midwest Tesla Motors store have been in the air for years now . These rumors don’t make the official announcement of a Chicago sales and service center scheduled to open this spring any less exciting. In fact, considering the recent slight fall from grace that Tesla has suffered, confirmation or future growth is a great thing. Chicago is only the first of seven new retail locations that are planned for 2009. The other cities on the list include: London, Manhattan, Miami, Seattle and, further ahead, Washington, D.C. and Munich, Germany. If everything goes well – and we know it won’t, but we can still hope for smooth progress – then the new retail locations will be the spearhead for the Model S , which will be unveiled in a few short weeks. In the official announcement about the Chicago store (Car Blog Greenit after the jump), Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk said, “Tesla has no intention of being a niche automaker. The Chicago store will introduce the company to even more people in the United States and position us to launch a more affordable sedan for mainstream drivers.” At the very least, tourists will soon have something to snap pictures of in the Windy City other than the Sears Tower and the Bean. Gallery: Tesla Motors Menlo Park Store [Source: Tesla Motors] Continue reading Officially, official: Tesla Motors store coming to Chicago Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Green Daily Officially, official: Tesla Motors store coming to Chicago originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Ex-Tesla sales chief re-surfaces with green consultantcy

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:27:00 +0000

It’s been a few months since Darryl Siry walked away from the top sales and marketing job at Tesla Motors. In the interim he’s been working on some new projects which have just been revealed. Late last week, he announced that he is joining Peppercom a national PR and business intelligence firm as a senior analyst on clean technology. He’ll be part of a team of experienced industry executives at the company’s GreenPepper unit advising clients on how to better communicate what they are doing in the green arena. Siry’s focus will be on green transportation and alternative fuels. Peppercom’s client list includes Solazyme, Tyco Flow Control and Honeywell. His experience at Tesla has taught Siry the importance of credibility in the car business. Watching the struggles of other EV makers as well has his own ex-employer surely provided Siry with some insights that will prove valuable to other companies. In addition to his role as an analyst for Peppercom, the national firm is investing in Siry’s own start-up company. Siry is launching a software service company aimed at media and communications professionals to help them share information. So far he isn’t sharing a lot of details on the new venture, but it could be interesting, at least to those of us writing about the industry. [Source: Darryl Siry , Marketwatch ] Auto Blog: Etc. Ex-Tesla sales chief re-surfaces with green consultantcy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Over at Jason Calacanis’ blog, a new teaser shot of the Tesla Model S has surfaced that shows a bit more detail of the car’s greenhouse profile. According Jason, the photo was emailed to buyers of the Signature 100 cars of which he is one. We got our first glimpse of the new car last week but this one shows more. Most of the car appears to be hidden in this image but there are details if you know how to look. A visit to the curves adjustment in Photoshop reveals the same fender trim seen on the earlier shot as well as the wheels. In the adjusted version, the door handles and side glass profile are also visible as is the glass roof. We don’t know at this point if the glass roof will be part of the production model although it could be problematic for an EV. The extra thermal load would have the air conditioning working harder cutting into the range. You can check out the enhanced photo after the jump. Jason is so happy with his Roadster that he has decided to order two Model S Signature Series sedans. Tesla has opened the reservation list for the Signature Series. Right now, only early adopters of the Roadster can get on the list for a $40,000 refundable deposit. Following the March 26 reveal, anyone will be able to order one for a $10,000 deposit. If you already own a Roadster, you’ll get $10,000 off the price of a Model S. Don’t forget the enhanced version of the Model S teaser after the jump. Related: AutoblogGreen visits our founder to try out his Tesla Roadster [w/VIDEO] Tesla to unveil Model S on March 26, hopes for DOE money by summer Thanks to everyone who sent this in! [Source: Calacanis.com ] Continue reading New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two! Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

Tesla Roadsters to whisk actors to Oscars?

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:50:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tesla Roadster Sounds like we might have a good reason to tune in to the Acadamy Awards on Sunday. Rumor has it that this year’s festivities may well take on a green theme before they even begin. How so? It’s no secret that a bunch of celebrities and otherwise very well off individuals have purchased Tesla Roadsters , and Rachel Konrad, senior communications manager at Tesla Motors, has said that many of these well-known owners are also advocates of the brand. According to Inside Line , reports from the overactive Hollywood rumormill are that a few of the invited celebs may be planning to show up at this weekend’s Oscars in their very own electric sportscars. Like who, you ask? Matt Damon, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, who has been nominated for an award for his performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button . Gallery: Jason Calacanis’ Tesla Roadster [Inside Line] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Green Daily Tesla Roadsters to whisk actors to Oscars? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Bolloré courts Evo Morales and Bolivia’s lithium

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:57:00 +0000

French industry giant Group Bolloré, which we’re familar with for their involvement with Pininfarina in a handful of interesting electric car projects, announced it has contacted Bolivian President Evo Morales to secure a supply of lithium in order to produce advanced batteries. Negotiations have been in the works for more than a year to guarantee access to what is estimated to be half of the total lithium resources in the world, located in Salar de Uyuni. Bolloré is competing against Japan’s Mitsubishi. One of the questions that arose during these negotiations was Morales’s demand that a complete EV industry be established in Bolivia, instead of just simple mining facilities. Morales is currently visiting France on an official visit. [Source: La Voz de Galicia via Econoticias ] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , South/Latin America Bolloré courts Evo Morales and Bolivia’s lithium originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Tesla to unveil Model S on March 26, hopes for DOE money by summer

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:56:00 +0000

In a newsletter distributed today by Tesla Motors, CEO Elon Musk provides an update on the business including an announcement that a driveable prototype of the Model S would be unveiled on March 26. The Model S reveal will take place at the Southern California headquarters of Musk’s other company, Space-X, which is where Tesla’s design studio is located. According to ex-Tesla SVP Darryl Siry who refused to show us images of the car no matter how much we begged before his departure, “the Model S a very beautiful car.” As long as it doesn’t have a hump back like the new Porsche Panamera we’re looking forward to seeing it. However, before it becomes anything more than a prototype, Tesla will need a lot more cash to pay for engineering and a factory to build it. As Musk told us when we talked to him in Detroit last month, he fully expects the company to be profitable by mid-year thanks to price increases and cost reductions for building the Roadster. Even if that proves to be true, which will be difficult when considering the current economy, it’s unlikely to be anywhere near the required cash flow to cover the cost of the Model S. Learn more about how Tesla hopes to fund the Model S after the jump, where you can also see the full text of the newsletter. Gallery: Jason Calacanis’ Tesla Roadster Photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: Tesla Motors] Continue reading Tesla to unveil Model S on March 26, hopes for DOE money by summer Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors Tesla to unveil Model S on March 26, hopes for DOE money by summer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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An all-Tesla racing series? Nothing factory-sanctioned for now

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Racing The Lotus Elise and Exige are extremely popular among owners as track cars, thanks to their light weight and phenomenal handling. Given its chassis DNA from the Elise, the idea of using the Tesla Roadster in a similar manner has come up repeatedly over the last two years. We first raised the idea with then-Tesla sales honcho Darryl Siry in November 2007, who explained that the Roadster as it was then constituted wouldn’t work very well because the motor would overheat causing a loss of performance. The upgraded 1.5 version of the powertrain certainly improved the cooling of the motor but it’s still unclear how well it could manage under sustained hard running. Apparently, some prospective Roadster owners in the Middle East are interested in starting up a single-make series. A report earlier this week indicates they are in talks with the manufacturer so we contacted communications manager Rachel Konrad find out what’s happening. According to Konrad ” I can confirm we’ve seen increased demand in the Middle East in recent months, and some customers there have said that they may race their Roadsters.” Konrad goes on to say ” The Roadster’s acceleration certainly makes it competitive against other premium sports cars, so it’s not surprising that some customers are interested in competitions. However, Tesla itself has no plans to officially sponsor or endorse a racing series, and the company remains focused on ramping up production and delivering cars to about 1,000 customers who have not yet taken delivery .” So, it may or may not happen and if it does, the car owners are apparently on their own. Gallery: Jason Calacanis’ Tesla Roadster Gallery: Trying out Jason’s Tesla Roadster Photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips , Sam Abuelsamid, Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: Lotus Enthusiast , Tesla] An all-Tesla racing series? Nothing factory-sanctioned for now originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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An all-Tesla racing series? Nothing factory-sanctioned for now