Monthly Archives for January 2010
Nissan gets DoE loan for Leaf battery production in the U.S.
The Nissan Leaf at its official Los Angeles launch. Related Articles Nissan’s electric car history Nissan Leaf/Versa test drive Leasing versus buying battery packs Nissan’s electric charging stations in Tennessee Nissan has been … Continue reading
Find of the Day: Bugatti Veyron with matching transporter
Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Truck, Europe, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz
We never thought we’d see the day when someone would have to sweeten the deal to sell a car as eminently desirable as a Bugatti Veyron. But with the economy still putt-putting its way down the road to recovery, there are plenty of wealthy collectors looking to free up some liquid assets. That means a buyer’s market, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see everything this side of the proverbial kitchen sink thrown in to seal the deal.
This, however, looks far more enticing than a porcelain fixture. The owner of this Veyron – monochromatically decked out in French Racing Blue – apparently had this Mercedes-Benz Atego transporter painted to match. As you can see from the photo, the truck’s precious-cargo box tilts back and a ramp slides out to get the supercar in with a minimum of fuss.
Oh, and the Bugatti itself? It’s a 2007 model with 7,728 kilometers (4,800 miles) on the odometer, a matching dark blue interior and, together with the matching truck, is up for grabs on JamesList from the Netherlands with a €895,000 ($1,264,815) price tag.
[Source: JamesList via World Car Fans]
Find of the Day: Bugatti Veyron with matching transporter originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tesla to kill the Roadster in 2011, new version coming in 2013?
Filed under: Convertible, Tesla, Electric
You read that right. Tesla Motors will stop building the Roadster in 2011.
Wired‘s Autopia was digging through the papers filed by Tesla to the Securities and Exchange Commission for its IPO and came across with this nugget:
“We do not plan to sell our current generation Tesla Roadster after 2011 due to planned tooling changes at a supplier for the Tesla Roadster.”
As everyone’s aware, the current iteration of the Tesla Roadster is built in Hethel, England by Lotus using Elise/Exige underpinnings. Judging by the quote above, that means the Elise/Exige is due to be replaced by a new model (good news for enthusiasts), but that leaves Tesla up a creek without the proverbial paddle.
The other telling line is this:
“As a result, we anticipate that we may generate limited, if any, revenue from selling electric vehicles after 2011 until the launch of the planned model S…”
The Model S is due to come out in 2012, which means Tesla might not have any revenue coming in until the all-electric sedan goes on sale. If there’s a snag with anything in the launch of the sedan – design, production, engineering, you name it – then Tesla’s in serious trouble. That might make investors wary when the upstart automaker finally begins offering shares.
So, bottom line: If you want the current Roadster, order now, or wait until the all-new Roadster goes on sale in 2013.
Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster
[Source: Autopia]
Tesla to kill the Roadster in 2011, new version coming in 2013? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
