More than 3,000 people have put down $5,000 reservation fees to get in line for the Model S electric sedan.
The first Tesla Model S electric sedans will be built next year, crash tested and deliveries will start in 2012, the company says in a corporate filing.
The Model S electric sedan will have a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles on a single charge depending on which Model S Tesla battery pack option is chosen. It can go zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 120 mph.
In the meantime, Tesla says its busy building an electric version of the RAV4 crossover with Toyota and has been delivering prototypes since July. Tesla expects revenue of $60 million for its part in developing components for the Toyota RAV4 EV. Also keeping Tesla busy are work orders of 1,500 electric drivetrains for Smart ForTwo ED, and 500 for Mercedes-Benz for its A-Class electric cars.
Toyota took a small ownership stake in the company by investing $50 million immediately after Tesla’s initial public offering in June. Tesla also got a $30 million investment by battery supplier Panasonic on Nov. 2.
Meanwhile, Daimler invested $50 million (before selling off 40 percent of its stake) in Tesla.
The auto maker was the recipient of $465 million in Department of Energy loans for the development and production of the Model S.
