Tokyo, Japan - Tesla's Elon Musk says his electric-car firm could partner again with Toyota, as the companies conclude an initial vehicle project that met with mixed results.
He told reporters on Monday in Tokyo: "If you look out maybe two or three years from now, I would not be surprised if there was a significant deal with Toyota and Tesla."
Musk said Tesla and Toyota had no definitive plans but he envisioned a larger project than their deal for the RAV4 electric vehicle.
The comments come as the two carmakers wind down sales of the jointly developed RAV4 EV after delivering only about 2000 since it went on sale two years ago. Since that project the companies have taken separate paths, with Toyota now preparing to sell its first fuel-cell vehicle, a technology Musk has ridiculed.
Toyota spokesman Ryo Sakai wouldn't comment on Musk's remarks.
‘GIGAFACTORY’
Tesla plans to build the world's biggest lithium-ion battery plant to cut the cost of the cells used to power its electric vehicles. This would provide an opportunity to supply other manufacturers as well, said Barclays analyst Brian Johnson.
"With Tesla, you can never rule anything out. The gigafactory is a huge investment for Tesla, so the wider you can spread the net, the better," he said.
"There's also an interest in maintaining good diplomatic relations with Toyota."
Despite insider reports that the RAV4 EV project was marred by clashes between engineers, Musk said on Monday that Tesla has "a very good relationship with Toyota".
‘SHORTAGE OF BATTERY PACKS’
Although he's criticised hydrogen-powered cars as "fool cells" in the past, he said at the Japanese launch of the Model S there was some value in experimenting with other technologies.
Back in June At an annual shareholders' meeting in June, Musk cited a shortage of batteries as one reason why Tesla and Toyota would take a year or two before making any plans to build another vehicle together.
Tesla is hoping to persuade Panasonic to put in 30 to 40 percent of the $5 billion (R54.3 billion) the factory in Nevada will cost by 2020.
Musk said: "We are probably pushing Panasonic to make decisions faster than it would normally; I think it will turn out well for both companies."
Washington Post - Bloomberg