**FILE** A sign is shown inside of electric car maker Tesla Motors showroom in San Jose, Calif., on May 25, 2011. (Associated Press)
**FILE** People look at electric car Tesla Motors vehicle at a showroom in San Jose, Calif., on May 25, 2011. (Associated Press)
Tesla Motors has 24 stores in the world, including this one at a mall in Portland, Ore. It received a $465 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, and President Obama has praised the company. (Associated Press)