NUMMI stands for New United Motor Manufacturing Inc, it’s joint venture between Toyota and the old GM.  The partnership is over 25 years old.  Currently NUMMI produces the Toyota Matrix and the Pontiac Vibe.  But with Pontiac going away and GM going through bankruptcy the contract was up for grabs.

GM could not find another vehicle to make there and decided to discontinue the joint venture.  With GM out of the picture Toyota has issued a statement saying that they might discontinue operations there completely without a partner.

“We need to determine whether it can be economically feasible to contract with NUMMI without GM,” Toyota said in a statement. “Under the current business circumstances, Toyota regrettably must also consider taking necessary steps to dissolve the joint venture.”

It’s being suggested that Tesla is looking at an opportunity there.  Toyota has a wealth of experience in making cars on an assembly line.  Tesla has none (the Roadster is hand built).  Tesla is looking for a cheap way to bring the Model S to market, the $50,000 follow up to the Roadster.  Who better than Toyota to show you the ropes of assembly line manufacturing?