The end goal for most venture-capital financed start-ups is to issue an IPO and help get some money into the hands of those investors brave enough to give the company money at the early stages. Tesla Motors, perhaps the first Silicon Valley car company(and headed by Elon Musk, a former dot-com executive), is about to do just that, after filing papers with the Security and Exchange Commission, detailing terms of their IPO.

Tesla is expected to issue roughly 11 million shares of the company, with the shares going for $14 to $16 each. As a reward for the IPO, Toyota will invest another $50 million in the company, as part of an alliance between the two companies, which includes the NUMMI auto plant in California, and a new mass market sedan in 2012.

So far, Tesla only sells a 2 seat sports car, the Tesla Roadster, but the company plans to introduce a high end sedan, known as the Model S, in the near future. So far, Tesla has continually lost money each quarter, with total revenues of just under $150 million.

[Source: Detroit News]

After acquiring the former NUMMI plant jointly owned by General Motors and Toyota, Tesla Motors was immediately targeted by the UAW for a guilt-trip campaign by the United Auto Workers to re-hire the 4,700 workers set to lose their jobs as the plant closed.

In an interview on a California radio show, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was asked about the hiring situation, Musk affirmed his commitment to getting the workers their jobs back, telling listeners that “It is always easier to hire from the neighborhood” and that “hiring former HUMMI workers is a priority for us.”

Being a low volume manufacturer, Tesla will likely only need 1,000 workers, but the opportunity always remains for expansion. More interestingly, the plant’s union status could be a future contention. No doubt the UAW will want to see it continue, but past issues with the union, and the need for strict quality control in an ultra-premium vehicle will likely not mesh well with the union’s mentality towards hiring and firing workers.

[Source: Autoblog Green]

Consumer watchdog, Consumer Reports has released its list of 2010 cars, which includes the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Aveo, that do not come with the electronic stability control (ESC) safety feature.

A computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle’s stability by detecting and minimizing skids in a turn, electronic stability control will become a standard feature in all light-passenger vehicles come 2012. This category includes cars, pickup trucks and SUVs. According to Consumer Reports, the majority of manufacturers have already equipped their vehicles ahead of the mandate.

The list was a short one – only nine other cars managed to make the cut. Others on the list include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Viper, Kia Rio, Lotus Elise, Tesla Roadster and Scion tC.

But don’t worry if you’re in the market for a Hyundai Accent – it will have electronic stability control upgrade shortly. According to Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore, “The Accent is our only non-ESC vehicle. It is also the oldest in our lineup. We continue to roll out new technologies as vehicles are freshened and replaced.” At this time, the Accent is the only current vehicle made by Hyundai that does not come with ESC.

[Source: Inside Line]

Tesla has a significant presence at the Detroit Auto Show and shared its section of the show floor with such revered brands as Audi and Lotus. Displaying three models, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company’s latest project, the Model S, is expected to be on sale in two years.

This fully-electric luxury sedan has a range of up to 300 miles and can hit 60 mph in just over 6 seconds. With room for five adults and two children, Tesla has previously announced that it hopes to sell the Model S for a retail price of 49,900 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. Both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions are planned.

In addition to the Model S news, Tesla displayed a Roadster model (the company’s original car), that recently drove across America.

Finally, an additional Roadster model is the brand’s 1,000th vehicle produced. Musk announced that the car will be auctioned-off with the proceeds going to help several environmental groups.

GALLERY: Tesla Model S

Ahead of Tesla’s media event and press conference, set to be held today at noon Pacific Time, three images of the electric car company’s latest project have leaked onto the interwebs.

Two of the three photos depict a vehicle that looks alarmingly similar to Jaguar’s XF sedan – a car on which it might just be based. Remember, the Tesla Roadster is essentially a Lotus Elise underneath. We might even go so far as to say the Tesla model looks better than the Jag – especially with that stunning panoramic glass roof.

Oh… and those wheels are VERY SLR.

The third photo is of the incomplete interior of the car, with hi-tech looking gauges and what appears to be a large LCD screen for HVAC and Audio controls.

The new Model S from Tesla will be priced from $57,400 and be available for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

There is no word on what the specific powerpant will be in the Model S but we’ll be sure to bring you more details later today.

GALLERY: Tesla Model S