It's been a tremendous time for Tesla Motors. In May, Tesla secured a $50 million investment and strategic partnership with Germany's Daimler, maker of Mercedes. We also delivered our 500th Roadster -- the only car in the world that offers performance with a clean conscience. In June, we were among the first automakers to get approval for Department of Energy loans. The $465 million in interest-bearing loans – entirely unrelated to the bailout of bankrupt automakers -- will help finance production engineering and assembly of the Model S, the all-electric sedan. The loans will also fund an assembly plant where we will produce electric vehicle powertrain components for affordable EVs, such as the Smart city car and other platforms.

We're busy expanding our retail operations this month, with new stores already open in London and New York. Seattle, Chicago and Miami will open in upcoming weeks. We recently recorded our best sales week since the summer of 2008 – despite the lackluster economy and continued turbulence in the global automotive industry. Customers tell us every week that the Roadster is the *only* car that is both wickedly fun and socially responsible. As early Tesla customer and former CEO Michael Marks observes, the Roadster can be the only car you drive. You can power it exclusively from solar power, like customer Rob Wilder, or take exotic road trips , like customer Bill Arnett – and you can even drive them cross-country, as customers are doing right now for Renew America Roadtrip!

Want to work at the world's leading EV company? Tesla is hiring and looking for talent in engineering, production, and sales. Search for positions at Tesla facilities worldwide.

Finance Your Roadster

We're thrilled to announce that approved U.S. customers can now finance their Roadster through Bank of America. We expect this to become a popular option – and increase the number of electric miles driven by Americans.

Financing makes the Tesla Roadster much more affordable. For example, a customer approved for a 5-year financing term on a base Roadster could put down as little as $20,000 before taxes and net of the US federal tax credit. The monthly payment would be approximately $1,700 at a 5 percent annual percentage rate (APR).

That monthly payment is typical for high performance cars – but Roadster drivers will enjoy hundreds of dollars per month in savings unavailable to gas guzzlers. The Roadster, which gets an estimated 244 miles per charge, costs roughly $4 to refuel and does not require routine oil changes or exhaust system work. Unlike high-maintenance internal combustion engines, Teslas get a 100 percent waiver on sales, luxury and use taxes in at least four states, and they qualify for commuter lane privileges, free parking and free charging in many regions.

Prospective customers may complete documents at Tesla showrooms or online, including electronic signature and customer verification. Tesla customer service staff can assist with the application in a showroom or at 650-413-6300.

Seven New Retail Stores

The [url=http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhttp://www.teslamotors.com%2Fmedia%2Fpress_room.php%3Fid%3D1314&esheet=5980564&lan=en_US&anchor=London&index=3]London[/url] store debuted in June with exciting news that we will soon be offering a right-hand-drive Roadster. Last week, we hosted an open house at our beautiful New York store in the Chelsea Art District.

The retail rollout continues this week in Seattle, which will host rides for the public on July 25 and 26. [url=http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhttp://www.teslamotors.com%2Fmedia%2Fpress_room.php%3Fid%3D1240&esheet=5980564&lan=en_US&anchor=Chicago&index=2]Chicago[/url] will open to the public August 7, and we'll host rides August 7-8. Miami, Munich and Monaco will open in the weeks ahead. Tesla is also scouting locations in Washington DC and Toronto. Please check online for addresses, hours and contact information of your nearest Tesla store.

Each store will serve as a regional service and distribution center. And remember: electric vehicles don't need routine oil changes, exhaust system repairs, spark plugs, pistons, timing belts and other time-consuming and costly maintenance. In fact, convenience and ease of use are top reasons many Roadster customers have bought a second car for their spouse. And don't forget: With a Roadster, you top off the charge when needed from the comfort of your garage. You'll never have to detour to a greasy gas station.

500th Roadster Delivery

Last month, Tesla announced its 500th delivery. The lucky customer was [url=http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhttp://www.parkinsonalliance.net%2Fabout.php%3FID%3D302&esheet=5978488&lan=en_US&anchor=Martin+Tuchman&index=1]Martin Tuchman[/url], who uses his Roadster as his primary commuter car. He'll enjoy far lower lifetime ownership costs thanks to the lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline. The Roadster is [url=http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov%2Fafdc%2Fprogs%2Fview_ind.php%2FNJ%2F5778&esheet=5978488&lan=en_US&anchor=exempt&index=4]exempt[/url] from sales, use and luxury taxes in New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington and Arizona. Numerous states, including California, are considering similar tax waivers. Quebec and Ontario just became the latest regions to offer rebates – up to $10,000 per car. Colorado, Oregon, Georgia and other states have generous rebates, too. All US owners get a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The 500th delivery means that we have caught up with much of our back log of pre-orders and can deliver a car to you within five months from the date of your order. If you have resisted reserving a Roadster because you didn't think you could wait over a year for a car, now is the time to buy with a $9,900 refundable reservation fee.

Roadster 2

• An upgraded interior and push-button "gear" selector, center mounted touch screen, and an enclosed and locking glove box.
• An easy-to-read, centrally mounted video display screen to monitor real-time vehicle data, from estimated range to the number of barrels of oil you've saved while driving your Tesla.
• An even simpler motor that generates more power and is more efficient.
• An array of new options, including an "executive interior" of exposed carbon fiber and premium leather, adjustable suspension, and clear coated carbon fiber body accents. The visual depth of carbon fiber weave in sunlight is stunning.

Roadster Sport

Roadster Sport takes all the enhancements of Roadster 2 and packs a motor with an additional 40 horsepower, a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama's Ultra High Performance tires, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver's preference.

This green supercar travels from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (compared to the Roadster's 3.9 seconds) and features an effective adjustable suspension that can be tuned to the driver's preference, including a softer setting. We're taking orders now, and the media launch for Roadster 2 and Roadster Sport will be in late July, so look for stories in magazines and on television this summer.

 
 
 



 
 




 

 

Learn More

Want to learn more about Tesla's history  or recent company news? Want to understand why Tesla was the only automaker to receive a prestigious Globe Award for environmental sustainability from Sweden's royal family? Check out our site and tell other fans to subscribe to this monthly newsletter. And visit OnCars.com , whose editorial staff scored unrivaled access to the Model S and produced a three-part series about the car. The episodes set all-time traffic records for OnCars.com.

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