Tesla Michigan officially opens, a look inside [video]

When Tesla Motors officially reopened the state’s old Riviera Tool LLC manufacturing facility under its control, a several of Michigan lawmakers showed up. Offered the state’s attitude towards the electrical car maker’s efforts to market autos directly in the state, they have some nerve. We’re presuming everyone played nice.

As of late last month, Tesla was formally running the tool as well as die plant in Cascade Territory, which lies just beyond Grand Rapids and concerning 150 miles west of Detroit, baseding on Michigan’s WOOD transmission station.

The manufacturing plant employs and makes stamped-metal components concerning 100 individuals. The firm has actually been around for almost 70 years, though has withstood insolvency and foreclosure procedures, so things have not constantly gone smoothly. That said, Tesla is hiring new workers to keep up with increasing demand and also is planning on updating some of the factory’s devices. Tesla acquired the factory this spring.

An added indignity may have been the grand-opening presence of state legislator Arlan Meekhof (R-Olive Township) and state representative Rob VerHeulen (R-Walker), as per MLive. They’re part of a state legislature that has kept Michigan as one of 5 US states that will not allow Tesla follow through on its version of direct sales to prospective customers. Like states such as Texas and also Arizona, Michigan’s notable for its strong car-dealership lobby. So while about 300 Model S sedans get on Michigan roads, none were purchased (lawfully, at the very least) within the state restrictions.