Everyone wants a bailout—how about Tesla?

Thinking back a few decades (and showing my age, grand as it may be), I don't seem to recall the carriage makers and horse breeders running to the government of the day for a bailout when the 'horseless buggies' started appearing. Thousands of manufacturers sprouted (and that's NOT an exaggeration), almost as many failed. Who remembers the Duryea today, or who Henry Leland was? I'm certain that the Big 3 will get their bailout, but at the expense of what emerging technology?

NO WAY, Tesla is a car strictly targeted to those that can afford to buy gas at any price, the very rich. If they were selling affordable elec. cars to the masses and not a sports car in line with the expensive sports cars such as those from Ferrari and Lamborghini, then yes. There is no way that anyone can afford these cars other than the rich. Let the investors that care put more into the company. Also, should they fail, the impact to job market would be nothing compared to the Big Three. If they need more R&D funding, it should come from investors and NOT our tax money. Again, if the end product was something the Big Three seem to be failing at, such as a people mover… say a VAN that can move a family 200+ miles on electricity, hydrogen, etc. and was cost competitive with the now available vans and sedans, then by all means. But it seems the goal here is to sell fast electric cars to the rich and famous…. Heck, you have to put something like a $5K deposit down just to test drive the thing.

Rick, It's a credible idea, though the term bailout sounds a bit discouraging for many folks. Why not just subsidy the MOST technologically-advanced hybrid and electrical cars (including the one mentioned) on a government level? This is a strategic investment, which is shaping the technological landscape of the future. In this scenario, both sides (car buyers/sellers) will get economic stimulus to participate in green technological revolution. In more general form: investment in renewal clean Energy is a top national priority. This required systematic approach to every stage of Energy producing and consumption cycle. It should be addressed, that the biggest stumbling block on the way of proliferation of electrical vehicles is absence of commercially available efficient portable electric energy storage. What was overlooked for decades is the importance of technological transition from electro-chemical rechargeable batteries to the capacitive power sources. Capacitors (in particular, its subset – Ultracapacitors) have tremendous technical advantages over the batteries. (To read more on this topic just refer to “Green Electricity Initiative (GEL Initiative), which is topping Google list for many years: www.alexanderbell.us/Initiative/GEL.htm). So, it's not just about the car manufacturers. It is mostly about efficient Energy storage (either Batteries or SuperCapacitors, as they most likely will co-exist for pretty long time). So, in terms of strategic investment these folks should have their fair share, too, as they are actually on the edge of the incoming Energy technological revolution. Kind Regards, Dr. Alexander Bell Infosoft International Inc, NY

I think I should get a bailout before Tesla does....I checked with my wife and she agrees. And I only want $10M.

Tesla should be able to obtain a half billion $$$$ from the 25 billion set aside for energy and technology fund. It might be a lot easier to obtain than a bailout bridge loan.

Flawed as they are, at least Tesla is built around innovation. Also, Tesla hasn't gone to the well in the same way that the big 3 have. At least, those of us who remember the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, might say that. Finally, Tesla hasn't fought against every government push to make the industry greener. That push would, ironically, helped the big 3. So, Tesla deserves it more than the big 3 do.

While I would personally rather see any auto industry bailout money go to Tesla before GM, I just wanted to point out, in the interest of full disclosure, that Mahalo is funded by the same benefactor as Tesla Motors - talk about "conflict of interest".

Loan them the money if they'll develop a more affordable (about $30k) vehicle within 2 years or demand repayment. Tesla Motors I believe would do well with the financial boost as opposed to the other three who would line their wallets. As I recall from my earlier research Tesla had proposed an affordable vehicle following the roadster. Tesla Motors has put their money where their mouth is and has proven what the "

Loan them the money if they'll develop a more affordable (about $30k) vehicle within 2 years or demand repayment. Tesla Motors I believe would do well with the financial boost as opposed to the other three who would line their wallets. As I recall from my earlier research Tesla had proposed an affordable vehicle following the roadster. Tesla Motors has put their money where their mouth is and has proven what the "

Money taken from U.S. citizens by force and distributed to private companies that are not managed properly and that cannot compete in the marketplace is a recipe for disaster. We are witnessing the beginning of the second Depression brought on by Federal government intervention in the free market, just like 1929. The parallel is almost too close, a child can see it. As for Tesla, same logic applies. Wasted money that will doom our children to $30 loaves of bread, unobtainable energy resources, and a sub-standard living condition. What a bummer.

Money taken from U.S. citizens by force and distributed to private companies that are not managed properly and that cannot compete in the marketplace is a recipe for disaster. We are witnessing the beginning of the second Depression brought on by Federal government intervention in the free market, just like 1929. The parallel is almost too close, a child can see it. As for Tesla, same logic applies. Wasted money that will doom our children to $30 loaves of bread, unobtainable energy resources, and a sub-standard living condition. What a bummer.

Give Tesla the loan infusion. The big three have been watching Tesla and Tesla is very, very viable. As an engineer the work they have done in the short time has proven the technology and it will only get better and LOWER IN COST in time. That has already been proven with all new technologies that have been mentioned in the above article. If not for the governments funding of NASA, we would never have reached the moon and our life style today would not be what it is without that feats accomplishment. I see Tesla as a new NASA taking us to the new frontier in energy indepence as one very conceivable alternative. They truly are an automobile manufacturer and innovator. I just wish they would continue to innovate and get an affordable, stylish, family car for the masses out as soon as possible. The roadster is nice, but we need the reality of the masses needs. It would behoove Ford, Chrysler, or GM to look to this companies model as the future. If one of them is smart they would buy this company to manufacture the car at the economy of scale needs. Fuel cell development should also be looked at as a replacement for the batteries or in conjunction with the batteries for this car. GM what happened to the SKATE? Please bring it back. It is a great idea and needs to be placed into production as soon as possible. We need energy independence and environment saving changes to our way of life NOW!

Agree with Rob... the Big 3's assets can be recycled by Tesla with a government cash infusion... providing the fresh start the US auto industry is so sorely lacking.

Give Tesla the loan so they can buy GMs production capacity at the chapter 11 auction. That will give them production capacity to get economies of scale

No one should get the loan - This is supposed to be a free market. However, if available to the other "Big Three" they should be available to ALL US auto manufacturers.

Tesla does not stand a chance. The auto industry demands scale and size -- two attributes completely missing from Tesla. I agree with the NY writer. This would be throwing money down the drain.

Who needs a sports car that can go 100 mph in 8 seconds. Not this country. Putting 500 batteries in series is no technological feat.

give'em the loan! more innovation has come out of this tiny company in the past couple of years than all of the big 3. I'd buy an affordable electric car in a second even if it had a 250 mile range. That's enough range to drive to 90% of the places I go, come back, and plug the car in at night.