Would Apple really buy Tesla?

Tesla looks unlikely to stay independent in the long run. While some commentators point to Apple as a possible buyer, a more logical choice are Daimler and Toyota, which already own stakes in Tesla.

By John Voelcker,?Guest blogger / May 14, 2013

Tesla workers cheer on the first Tesla Model S cars sold during a rally in 2012 at the Tesla factory in Fremont, Calif. Commentators say in the long run Tesla is unlikely to remain independent.

Paul Sakuma/AP/File

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It's been a great run for Tesla Motors these last few months.

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The startup electric-car maker delivered 4,900 Model S luxury sport sedans from January through March, got a?rave review from?Consumer Reports, and reported its?first-ever profitable quarter.

CEO Elon Musk even dropped hints that it might be?working with Google on self-driving car?technology.

But Green Car Reports argues that Tesla is?unlikely to remain independent?in the long term.

A few commentators--here?and?here--have suggested that Apple might acquire Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA], but that seems to stretch credulity.

Instead, the two carmakers that already own stakes in Tesla are by far the front-runners to take over the company--or at least expand the joint product development deals each has used to engineer low-volume electric?compliance cars?to meet California zero-emission vehicle requirements.

Those companies are Daimler, which makes Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars, and Toyota.

Green Car Reports suggests that Ford, not currently a believer in electric cars,?might be a logical acquirer?for Tesla as well.

What do you think? Can Tesla stay independent while it grows, or is it bound to be bought up by some large global automaker?

The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best auto bloggers out there. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger,?click here.?To add or view a comment on a guest blog, please go to the blogger's own site by clicking on the link in the blog description box above.

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