Tesla Surpasses Toyota In Employment Numbers Among California Automakers

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Thanks in part to Toyota’s decision to relocate its U.S. base of operations from California to Texas, Tesla is now the former state’s largest automotive industry employer.

Bloomberg reports the EV automaker has over 6,000 employees so far, with plans to add 500 by year’s end. Meanwhile, Toyota has 5,300 employees in California, the majority of whom will pack their bags for Plano by 2017.

Tesla could end up doubling that number should California get the nod for the 6,500-strong Gigafactory, which would also place it far ahead of fellow tech companies such as Twitter and Facebook.

The major block in bringing the battery factory to California the high cost of doing business in the state, including industrial power rates and workers’ compensation, both of which are the highest in the nation. The Brown administration aims to fix some of this through tax credits for companies who maintain or add jobs in California.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • It's no wonder why Detroit is in the state it's in (and California is following). when you combine high taxes with tax&spend liberalism in a welfare state with open-borders, this is exactly what you get. Meanwhile TEXAS, a lower taxed, conservative, anti-illegal-immigration state is enjoying economic improvements and a growing economy. Businesses FLEE welfare states and go to states with pro-business attitudes - creating more jobs for everyone there. People flee states that tax their income and go to states that don't - like Florida. TESLA should build in Detroit and California - a new wave of EV, solar charging and battery technology to sell to China, Africa and India. India and Africa will be slower to demand cars than China because the per-capita income is lower, but If you can't stop those countries thirst for fossil fuels, then your green movement is an abject FAILURE.

    • See 5 previous
    • RHD RHD on May 20, 2014

      @APaGttH It's always easier to rant and inflame with ignorant misinformation than to research and find out the truth. Thank you for an intelligent, accurate post. I have family in Texas, and find that it does not fit the stereotypes, just as California isn't fruits, nuts and flakes, and Alaska isn't bears and igloos.

  • Thelaine Thelaine on May 19, 2014

    I wonder why electric power rates and workers comp rates are the highest in the nation?

    • Gtrslngr Gtrslngr on May 19, 2014

      1) Electric rate - Because the State of California ... for supposedly being one of the nations largest manufactures/producers and the greenest state in the Union . Buys 80% of its electricity from other States . California maintaining the " Not in My Backyard [ power plants ] but in yours its Fine " mentality 2) Workers Comp - Because at its core California is for all practical purposes a wanna be dysfunctional Socialist State which productive and successful person/business winds up subsidizing . Which ... is why anyone with half a brain and the ability to do so gets the hell out of California as soon as humanly possible

  • Gtrslngr Gtrslngr on May 19, 2014

    Yeah yeah ! More Hype & Hyperbole from the 21st DeLorean ... the man and the machine ! Here's the TRUTH about Elon Musk and all his ventures ; He lies ! Constantly . Is better at manipulating the numbers than a Mafia accountant . Is more deluded than a 60's Dr Tim induced hippie wanna be . Which is to say ... as Steve Jobs so often did when the subject of Elon Musk ever came up . Trust nothing ... especially the so called facts and figures coming from Musk on any of his ventures

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