Tesla to open power train plant in Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) - August 18, 2009 The company says the facility will build components for its vehicles and other automakers. The complex will also house its corporate headquarters and will employ roughly 350 people with space for up to 650.

In June, the carmaker won $465 million in low-interest loans from the U.S. Energy Department. The money is part of a larger pool of funds to help automakers develop more efficient vehicle technology.

The maker of the $109,000 Roadster electric sports car recently unveiled an electric sedan it expects to price under $50,000 after government rebates.