Last Friday it was reported that SA premier Jay Weatherill recently offered to have Tesla set up in the state, though this offer was politely turned down.
RenewEconomy reports that Weatherill made the suggestion while visiting the company’s Fremont plant, which was occupied by a failed Toyota/General Motors joint venture before Tesla set up.
“I met with Tesla last month in San Francisco and have expressed that we would be supportive of them establishing a presence in South Australia,” a spokespersonal for the premier told RenewEconomy.
“The company have expressed that they have no intention of setting up operations in Australia at present.”
Tesla is planning geographical expansion and an offer was made by France to have Teslaset up an electric vehicle plant at the site of a nuclear power plant to be closed next year.
SA will have empty industrial sites of its own in coming years, including the Holden Elizabeth car factory, which will close next year.