Tesla banks on low factory outlays in drive to profits

To build the Model S, Tesla paid $42 million for a former GM plant in 2010, spent $17 million for some presses and machinery, and received other used equipment at a "fraction" of the original cost from parts suppliers. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg)

By:

Alan Ohnsman

April 14, 2012 05:00 AM

FREMONT, Calif. -- Gilbert Passin surveys the 50-year-old factory where Tesla Motors Inc. plans to make electric cars, and he sees a manufacturing bargain.

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