Wishing to intensify its production, Tesla Motors announced Monday that it is hoping to bolster its reach and manpower in the Bay Area.
The Palo Alto-based company plans to double the size of its Fremont plant, generate roughly 3,000 jobs and pump out hundreds of thousands of new electric vehicles.
While creating jobs is a plus, the company will have its hands full in dropping the price of the brand's vehicles. Currently, the Model S sedan ranges from $66,000 to $109,500 and the Model X sport-utility vehicle ranges from $85,000 to $115,000.
The new Model 3 sedan, due out in late 2017, will start at $35,000, according to the company's website.
"There's a lot of aspects about Tesla that go beyond electrification, but at its foundation, to make it affordable for everyone, the electrical component has to be less expensive," Charlie Vogelheim from Motor Trend said.
Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison backs the expansion as long as the East Bay city is integrated in the company's growth. Harrison is also calming residents who are fearful of increased traffic in the area by saying that the soon-to-be-opened Warm Springs/South Fremont BART Station will help ease congestion on the roadways.
"With the BART station opening and Tesla's creativity, I think we're going to be able to make sure we don't impact traffic as much going through our city," he said.
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In order for Tesla to accomplish its goal and churn out approximately 500,000 cars per year by 2018, the Fremont City Council will have to approve the expansion plan. Council members are scheduled to meet Thursday.
