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Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda, left, is presented with the keys to a Tesla Motor's Roadster electric car by Tesla Motor Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk in Tokyo on Friday. The burgundy-red Roadster 2.5 model, the first in Japan, has a license plate number of 520 to represent the date of the two companies' partnership agreement on May 20.

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Oh I want one! This car is just too good for that Oji-san, give it to me!

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All smiles now but when rainy season comes and the car stops cos of no sun, they'll get really wet.

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Very cool! Fine as a normal runabout, but at least for a few more years, I wouldn't trust my life to a sports car made by a startup company.

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Tesla has a dealership in New York City where they would park the cars at the curb in good weather. I sat in one and have to say they are quite impressive.

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That burgundy red is gorgeous.

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tokyonovice: It's not a solar car.

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Why do rich people always get stuff for free?

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does this mean they will stop getting my tax money !

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tokyonovice: It's not a solar car.

Oh. Smiles to continue then.

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Lunchbox at 07:43 AM JST - 13th November Very cool! Fine as a normal runabout, but at least for a few more years, I wouldn't trust my life to a sports car made by a startup company.

The Tesla has been in development for at least ten years and they have been in production for at least three.

wontond at 08:38 AM JST - 13th November Why do rich people always get stuff for free?

Toyota has invested ten of millions of dollars in Tesla.

They are marvels of engineering. However, for this technology to be meaningful it has to be produced across the vehicle spectrum and at about 1/3 the price of the roadster. I think a sedan is coming out next year, but still priced around $70K.

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That is one gorgeous looking car. Just love the deep red.

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What jeffrey said. Tesla cars need to become cheaper, but in doing so will most likely have to use cheaper materials since from what I understand the vehicles cost rises due to the "new" electric motor it uses and the carbon fiber body. When Tesla can create their vehicles at cheaper prices will be the day they really take off. Considering their vehicles are all sold out before they're even made, and only affordable by the wealthy or those that plan to save during the 5 year + waiting list until they get their own car. If Toyota can take the technology and make it cheaper (which is what we all expect) then we can finally wave goodbye to the old gas guzzler, and hopefully have more either full electric or cleaner fuel hybrid combinations.

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Tesla cars need to become cheaper,

Same thing was said about motorcars 100 yrs ago. Personal computers 25 years ago and plasma TVs 10 years ago.

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It's nice - but as a sports car, I hope it makes a lot of noise as sports cars should. Most of these electric cars are eerily quiet.

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@BrakuminDes well quiet isn't exactly bad, its all a matter of perspective. Imagine speeding around a nice twisty road and hearing NOTHING else but the wind blowing by, birds, nature, or only the music turned on in the car. Sure a loud engine is nostalgic but give quiet a try.

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If you like the style and elan (pun intended) of the car but don't care so much much about it being electric - just check out the original Lotus. Exact same car for a lot less money and probably pretty good gas mileage too. Much rather get the Elise for fun and a Prius for shopping both for the price of a Tesla

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jeffrey: the deal inked recently between tesla and toyota is for the production of electric Rav 4s (using a combination of tesla and toyota tech) for the international market. From what I've heard, the goal is to keep costs within a few percentage points of a standard model... which would fit into your price range.

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No, it doesn't make any sound whatsoever, but from reading reviews it flies like a rocket.

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Looks a little like the MK4 Supra.

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Notice the graphic on the wall 0-97kmh(60mph) in 3.7 seconds.

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Notice the graphic on the wall 0-97kmh(60mph) in 3.7 seconds.

Sweet. With that kind of action I could catch Road Runner and punch his annoying head in.

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what is shocking is the dude is smiling despite what his company has gone through this year...

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my2sense, Toyota is back in the black if you haven't noticed. Why shouldn't he be smiling?

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why do you always have a go at me?

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Nice, very nice! 60 in 3.7 beats most gas powered sports cars! Sure hope Santa puts one in my Christmas stocking!

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There is a Tesla BMW 5 series rival just around the corner (so to speak) for those of you who need more doors and seats. Price will be "competitive"!! :)

I think these guys are finally giving the push the industry needs with some glamour in electric cars. I drove some electric go-karts this year and they're as good as the petrol ones (for novices like me that is). This is the future, but from now we'll most likely see a decline in oil related wars and switch to uranium related one as the need to generate electricity rises dramatically.

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japanmanj

Looks a little like the MK4 Supra.

Looks exactly like a Lotus Elise! Which I believe even Tesla admits. Can never understand why Lotus doesn't seem to get the attention it deserves. The hugely popular Mazda Roadster was an exact copy of the Elan and now with all the buzz surrounding the Tesla you're comparing it to a Toyota. aaaaaaaarrrrgh

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