History
Model S is a high-performance, premium electric sedan that intends to compete with cars such as the BMW 5-series. This model follows Tesla Motors' business plan to expand down-market from the high performance Tesla Roadster sports car. Model S was styled by Franz von Holzhausen, who previously worked for Mazda North American Operations. The chassis, body, motor and energy storage systems are unique to Tesla Motors.
The Tesla Model S was initially codenamed WhiteStar during research and preliminary development. Model S was announced in a press release on June 30, 2008. The prototype vehicle was displayed at a press conference on March 26, 2009.
In February 2008 it was reported that Tesla Motors was planning to offer a range-extended version of its Model S. This version would have included a gasoline engine to extend the driving range of the vehicle, but it was removed in later revisions. At the GoingGreen conference in September 2008, Musk announced that Tesla was only developing all-electric cars and not hybrids.
Construction of an assembly factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico (a central location for shipping) was supposed to begin in April 2007, but was cancelled. A factory to be built in San Jose, California was also announced. In May 2010 Tesla Motors announced it would produce the new lower-priced Model S at the former NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, California, now known as the Tesla Factory.
The Model S was featured on Late Show with David Letterman in April 2009. Because the car uses no gasoline and does not produce any tailpipe emissions, it was allowed on the Late Show set and was the first fully functioning car on stage.
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