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Tesla Motors Touts Fremont Job Creation From Federal Loan

FREMONT (CBS SF) - Another big federal loan for Bay Area green manufacturer could bring hundreds of jobs to the Bay Area.

The Tesla Motors plant sits ready and waiting for new workers to fill its assembly lines, thanks to a nearly have a billion dollar loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. The carmaker said Tuesday that it planned to hire about 400 people.

Many of the people applying for those jobs are former New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., workers. The former NUMMI plant, which was a joint effort between General Motors and Toyota, shut down over a year ago.

Tesla already manufactures a battery-powered roadster, but ramping up to produce a larger luxury car called the Model S.

Workers who talked to CBS 5 said they were not deterred by the non-union, lower paying jobs relative to their former roles at NUMMI.

"NUMMI workers made $27-an-hour plus benefits, Tesla will pay about $12 to $16 an hour."

The announcement of the hiring plans comes just months after Fremont solar manufacturer and Federal loan recipient Solyndra was forced to shut down due to financial troubles.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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