Will Tesla's Gigafactory be Built in Arizona? (Phoenix, Tucson: sales, 2014)

[Potential_Landlord]

The rumors are heating up as the decision will shortly be made. Arizona, Nevada, Texas and New Mexico are in the running. I think Nevada has the advantage of being closest to the source of lithium and I'm afraid that weighs a lot, but in terms of better educated workforce and at least some lithium we should have a good chance. That would be a big boost for Arizona. In Texas you can't even buy a car without a dealer, that should pretty much delete them from the competition. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Gigafactory | Blog | Tesla Motors

California positively gets a negative from Tesla on battery factory - latimes.com

[Bondurant]

If Texas was out of the running, Tesla wouldn't even acknowledge looking at them. Texas is very much in the running. They have a booming economy and very business friendly. That said, I am rooting for Arizona. Phoenix would be my preferred destination but any new work here in AZ is a great thing.

[SAguy]

According to the SA Business Journal, two reps from Tesla met with the leaders of SA for possible sites.

[sh9730]

There are A TON of rumors floating around on this still - and since the process typically includes non-disclosure agreements - the govt VERY close lipped!!

The PHOENIX Business journal has had several articles the last few days saying that NEVADA is in the lead, but also that here in AZ Casa Grande and Buckeye are where the possible sites have been focused.

I think no one really knows on this one right now.....at all!

[recycled]

Texas is friendly to some businesses, especially the petro business, but not to Tesla. Texas is one of three states that ban direct sale of new motor vehicles by manufacturers. Tesla sells cars direct from factory owned showroom stores or through direct internet sales. Arizona is another state that has a ban on direct sale of new cars by manufacturers, so I doubt if Tesla to want to reward states like AZ or TX with a multi-billion dollar factory if they have been zeroed out from selling their cars direct in those states.

It's ironic that red states like TX and AZ have laws that tell certain businesses how they are supposed to sell their products. Why single out a car manufacturer from direct sales of cars, when every other kind of manufacturer is allowed to sell products how ever they want to? Small government? Free enterprise?

Tesla has its main vehicle assembly plant in Fremont, CA. Tesla needs the battery factory to be adjacent to one of the main transcontinental rail lines for reliable and direct transport to the main factory. Union Pacific is the largest rail line serving California and the southwestern US. Based on UP rail line routes, my guess is that Tesla might consider Las Cruces, NM or Las Vegas, NV for a factory.

The one wild card obstacle that might arise from building the factory in either of those 2 places might be the demand for water. I don't know how big of a demand for water that the Tesla battery factory will have. Anywhere in the southwestern US is going to have concerns about water demand. Maybe southern Idaho would have better water supplies?

[cacto]

No. Be sure to drop your application for Circle K off in the morning when the manager's there so you can make a good impression.

[Potential_Landlord]

Originally Posted by recycled

It's ironic that red states like TX and AZ have laws that tell certain businesses how they are supposed to sell their products. Why single out a car manufacturer from direct sales of cars, when every other kind of manufacturer is allowed to sell products how ever they want to? Small government? Free enterprise?

Tesla has its main vehicle assembly plant in Fremont, CA. Tesla needs the battery factory to be adjacent to one of the main transcontinental rail lines for reliable and direct transport to the main factory. Union Pacific is the largest rail line serving California and the southwestern US. Based on UP rail line routes, my guess is that Tesla might consider Las Cruces, NM or Las Vegas, NV for a factory.

The one wild card obstacle that might arise from building the factory in either of those 2 places might be the demand for water. I don't know how big of a demand for water that the Tesla battery factory will have. Anywhere in the southwestern US is going to have concerns about water demand. Maybe southern Idaho would have better water supplies?

Apparently, you can build a fertilizer plant next to an apartment complex in Texas, but not buy a new car over the internet, nor can you have a legal abortion (almost). LOL. I had no idea the same is true in Arizona. Bummer. Regardless of the factory we have to come up longer term with a new solution to the water supply in the West, like pumping Ocean water inland or such.
The rail line connection does make sense, but we also have a good rail connection in Phoenix / Tucson to California. Again, Nevada has more lithium raw material in ground so that may also factor in.

[sh9730]

Here is the latest rumor according to the Republic - Pinal county (Casa Grande or outside of Eloy) being the main proposed sites here in AZ - who knows!

Pinal land considered for planned Tesla factory

[Potential_Landlord]

Not looking too good here: AZ State Senate not considering bill to allow direct car sales to consumers:
Tesla bill on auto sales dead at Arizona Legislature - Phoenix Business Journal

[jamies]

It'll be Texas. Why, because they want business, so they don't throw up a bunch of roadblocks.