It was evident from the comments we got from Thursday’s blog post “Do Americans Still Want Large Vehicles,” as well as the results from the poll, that there’s still a significant demand in this country for large vehicles. Despite the measures to promote the manufacturing and sale of smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, automakers seemingly have an audience, ready and willing, to buy their trucks and SUVs.

I asked the readers who commented on Thursday’s story “which domestic automaker will emerge as the leader in large vehicle sales?” The overall consensus seemed to settle on Ford, but a case can be made for each of the “Big Three.”

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Tesla Motors says all systems are go on unveiling their all-electric, “Model S” sedan by mid-2011. All except a $450 million (not billion) loan by the federal government. Referred to as “Silicon Valley’s solution to the nation’s energy problem,” Tesla says the Big Three’s inability to develop an all-electric vehicle spurred their motivation to try and become the first.

Taking into account Washington’s financial commitment to GM, Ford, and Chrysler, it seems only logical that the government would lend another American car company the money, especially since Tesla’s latest vehicle corresponds directly with the new administration’s agenda to increase the development of “greener” vehicles. Also, when’s the last time a company or institution approached the U.S. government for a loan under $500 million? Read the rest of this entry »