Basically, Tesla is making a move from niche to mainstream once it has a handle on two critical things (1) manufacturing at scale (2) a cheaper battery to make the less-expensive car viable. The first of those just took a giant step as the company announced it is already ahead of the manufacturing pace it needs to hit its production goal of 20,000 cars in 2013. In fact, the company is currently running at “more than 500 Model S deliveries per week.”

Tesla model S cars are all over Palo Alto these days.

It wouldn't surprise me if Tesla bought the (dying) Lotus brand.

They are the reincarnation of Lotus.