Tesla to acquire Grohmann Engineering of automated manufacturing systems from Germany

Formation of Tesla Advanced Automation Germany.

Accelerating a sustainable energy future is only possible with high-volume factories. They allow us to manufacture high-quality products with economies of scale, making them more affordable and accessible to the world. As the machine that builds the machine, our factories are so important that we believe they will ultimately deserve an order of magnitude more attention in engineering than what they produce. At very high production volumes, the factory becomes more of a product than the product itself.

After increasing our output target to 500,000 cars per year by 2018, we began searching for the best engineering talent in automated manufacturing systems. Today, we are excited to announce that Tesla has entered into an agreement to acquire Grohmann Engineering, a world-renowned engineering company in Prüm, Germany, which will become Tesla Grohmann Automation.

Led by founder and CEO Klaus Grohmann, Grohmann Engineering is one of the world leaders in highly automated methods of manufacturing. This transaction will bring Mr. Grohmann’s leadership, a world-class team and unique expertise in-house. Moreover, it will serve as the initial base for Tesla Advanced Automation Germany headquarters, with other locations to follow. We expect to add over 1,000 advanced engineering and skilled technician jobs in Germany over the next two years.

Under the continued leadership of Mr. Grohmann, several critical elements of Tesla’s automated manufacturing systems will be designed and produced in Prüm to help make our factories the most advanced in the world. Combined with our California and Michigan engineering facilities, as well as other locations to follow, we believe the result will yield exponential improvements in the speed and quality of production, while substantially reducing the capital expenditures required per vehicle.

To date, we have increased the production rate at our Fremont Factory by 400% in four years, and we expect this acquisition to accelerate that growth rate. While the agreement is contingent upon clearance from regulators, including in Germany, we hope to have full approval and close the acquisition in early 2017. We are excited to have the Grohmann team join us in our goal of becoming the best manufacturer in the world to help accelerate the world's progress to a sustainable energy future.

Tesla and Panasonic teams to build Photovoltaic Cell in Buffalo, N.Y facilities.

Tesla and Panasonic to Collaborate on Photovoltaic Cell and Module Production in Buffalo, New York.

From Tesla:

Tesla and Panasonic have entered into a non-binding letter of intent under which they will begin collaborating on the manufacturing and production of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules in Buffalo, New York. Under this agreement, which is contingent upon shareholders' approval of Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity, 

Tesla will use the cells and modules in a solar energy system that will work seamlessly with Powerwall and Powerpack, Tesla’s energy storage products. With the aid of installation, sales and financing capabilities from SolarCity, Tesla will bring an integrated sustainable energy solution to residential, commercial, and grid-scale customers.

The parties intend for Panasonic to begin PV cell and module production at the Buffalo facility in 2017. Tesla intends to provide a long-term purchase commitment for those cells from Panasonic.

The collaboration extends the established relationship between Tesla and Panasonic, which includes the production of electric vehicle and grid storage battery cells at Tesla’s Gigafactory.

JB Straubel, Chief Technical Officer and Co-founder of Tesla, said “We are excited to expand our partnership with Panasonic as we move towards a combined Tesla and SolarCity. By working together on solar, we will be able to accelerate production of high-efficiency, extremely reliable solar cells and modules at the best cost.”

Shuuji Okayama, Vice-president, Eco Solutions Company of Panasonic, added, “Panasonic PV cells and modules boast industry-leading power generation performance, and achieve high quality and reliability. We expect that the collaboration talks will lead to growth of the Tesla and Panasonic relationship.”

The continued partnership between Tesla and Panasonic is an important step in creating fully-integrated energy products for businesses, home owners and utilities, and furthers Tesla’s mission toward a sustainable energy future.

From Panasonic:

Panasonic Begins Discussions on Collaboration with Tesla Motors in Photovoltaic Cell and Module Production

Panasonic Corporation announced it begins discussions on collaboration with Tesla Motors Inc. in photovoltaic (PV) cell and module production.

On October 17, 2016, Panasonic has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Tesla to discuss about possible collaboration on the production of PV cells and modules for the North American market at a factory in Buffalo, New York, under the umbrella of Tesla.

Panasonic will look at a collaboration that utilizes the strengths of both companies, creating a synergy between Panasonic's technological and manufacturing expertise in PV cells and modules and Tesla's strong sales capacity.

Panasonic produces and sells its HIT™^(*1) PV modules with unique silicon heterojunction structure^(*2) composed of crystalline silicon substrate and amorphous silicon layers.

With industry-leading conversion efficiency and excellent temperature coefficient characteristics, Panasonic's HIT™ achieves high power generation even in a limited space.

Panasonic is one of the few vertically-integrated PV manufacturers in the world, with in-house production of ingots, cells and modules to inverters, providing high-quality products.

The photovoltaic market is predicted to continue a steady expansion in demand worldwide. 

Continued stable demand is also expected in the Japanese market due to increasing needs in energy self-sufficiency and the popularization of Net Zero Energy Houses (ZEH).

Panasonic continues to steadily expand its photovoltaic power business in the world, aiming to help achieve a sustainable society through the widespread use of renewable energy.

• *1:HIT is a registered trademark of Panasonic Group.
• *2:This technology performs the junction formation needed for solar cells by surrounding the crystalline silicon wafer with an amorphous silicon layer. Its high passivation capability compensates for multiple defects that occur around the surface of the silicon wafer.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, enterprise solutions and device industries. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates 474 subsidiaries and 94 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.553 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2016. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global.

Media Contact:

Public Relations Department

Panasonic Corporation

Tel: +81-(0)3-3574-5664 Fax: +81-(0)3-3574-5699

China: Tesla Electric car unexpected demand and Hands Keys to First Customer. Video.

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Video: Is Apple-Tesla iCar next?

Apple is reportedly considering getting into electric cars and medical devices as sales of smartphones and tablets begin to slow.

Francisco De Jesùs.

Like its old ad slogan, Apple may be really thinking different --- thinking about even cars and heart monitors.  

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Apple's M&A chief met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk last spring at Apple's headquarters.

Citing a source, it says the meeting suggests Apple was interested in buying the electronic car maker - a topic widely rumored among investors. It speculates a partnership between the two could produce an Apple touchscreen on Tesla's dashboards. And Apple's looking at making medical inroads as well. 

The Chronicle says Apple is looking into mobile applications that could predict heart attacks by identifying the sound blood makes as it moves through a clogged artery. Investors hearting that news. Tesla's stock continued its mercurial climb, rising sharply at the start of trade. Apple, which is down slightly this year, was trading higher. 

 If the report proves true, Apple is thinking well beyond the rumored iWatches and iTVs as sales of smartphones and tablets start to slow.