We learned in Spring that Tesla Motors has chosen Panasonic as its next battery supplier. That didn’t surprised me. Panasonic is the battery manufacturer of all hybrids from Toyota, and there couldn’t be a better testimonial to the quality of its products. The relationship between Toyota and Panasonic has been going on for several decades (Panasonic’s also making car radios and all kind of electronics), whereas Tesla is a new customer, but things are changing. Tesla Motors is now much more since Panasonic invested $30 million in the Californian manufacturer. The investment was made through the purchase of Tesla common stock in a private placement, at a price of $21.15 per share. Unsurprisingly, shares went up 14% on the following day.

We can only see this as a new proof of confidence in Tesla Motors, which the manufacturer badly needs. Tesla Motors has been loosing money since it started, and it will run a deficit again this year, and also in 2011. Viewing strictly financial data, Tesla Motors should go bankrupt tomorrow, but as long as big players (Daimler and Toyota have also invested in Tesla) keep on believing in it, the company is secure.