Tesla Motors (TSLA) Shares Pop on Model S Blog Post

Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA) saw a little boost this afternoon following a post on CrunchGear, which cited a Tesla Blog post written by VP George Blankenship.

The post, from March 3, 2011, updated on the upcoming Model S. The following are key points on testing progress:

• Alpha testing is in full swing. The first Alpha hit the road in December 2010, and we continue to test as planned. Final assembly of the production-intent Beta vehicles will be done at the Tesla Factory this year and provide us with further testing and development opportunities.
  
  
• Deliveries for North America begin in mid-2012.
  
  
• The first 1000 cars off the line will be the North American Model S Signature Series. Those vehicles will be equipped with a 300 mile range battery. In the tradition of a limited-edition series, they will feature unique badging and an extensive complement of options.
  
  
• After the Model S Signature Series, deliveries for North America will continue with the 300 mile batteries, followed by 230 and 160 options later in 2012.
  
  
• Delivery of the European left-hand drive Model S is scheduled to begin in late 2012. In mid-2013 we plan to begin delivering the right-hand drive Model S for Europe and Asia. Each launch will begin with a limited edition Signature Series.
  
  
• We expect to produce approximately 5,000 units in 2012 as we ramp to full single shift production capacity of 20,000 units per year in 2013.
  
  
• The price of the US base Model S with a 160-mile battery is $49,900 after the $7,500 federal tax credit. The 230-mile range option is expected to price at about $10,000 more and the 300-mile option at about $20,000 more than the base.
  
  
• We are currently working on final pricing and options for Model S, including the Signature Series. We expect to have updates on Model S pricing worldwide this summer.

TSLA stock moved into positive territory, touching $25.40, before returning to just about flat into the close.

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