Tesla is moving into Lathrop, Calif., leasing a 431,000-square-foot industrial facility along Interstate 5 that the green automaker is already starting to build out.
The industrial facility is located in San Joaquin County in a former parts distribution center for Chrysler that closed in 2009.
“We’re ecstatic over the fact that Tesla’s going to be in town and expanding part of their operation,” Lathrop City Manager Stephen Salvatore said of the Palo Alto-based car manufacturer. “We’re obviously excited about a number of things – the potential for jobs and just having the recognition of a company like Tesla with their name being out on the fabric of our community.”
The exact nature of what Tesla plans to do in Lathrop were unknown at press time, but indications on Tesla enthusiast Websites suggest it will be used for manufacturing.
“Tesla is continuing to invest and create jobs in California as part of our ongoing infrastructure expansion,” Tesla said in a statement, adding that they have signed leases for more than 625,00 square feet of real estate in California that will “help us continue to bring compelling electric vehicles to market at affordable prices.”
Tesla plans to sell 35,000 Model S sedans this year and as many as a half million cars a year in a decade.
Source: Sacramento Business Journal
