Tesla's impending doom delayed by a $40 mil loan, running on low battery power

[HeilSvenska]

In our inbox, rumor of a staggering blow to one of Silicon Valley's new growth industries: Tesla Motors, a tipster tells us, is laying off 100 people, about half of its staff. CEO Ze'ev Drori is also leaving, he claims. Sad: A few years ago, electric-car enthusiasts talked up the Valley as the new Detroit, home to a vibrant new automotive economy. Last month, Tesla had set plans for a $250 million electric-car factory in San Jose, along with a new headquarters. But autos are an expensive business, thoroughly dependent on free-flowing credit for their manufacture and sale. Tesla's high-end electrics, a status symbol in good times, now seem excessive; who wants to drive a $109,000 car into a half-empty parking lot? I've called Darryl Siry, Tesla's VP of marketing, but haven't heard back yet. To be clear: I don't know if this layoff rumor is true. I just know that it seems likely.

http://valleywag.com/5063439/tesla-said-to-lay-off-100