[sammathews]

Ultimately Tesla is in the business of public opinion. Paying back the goverment far ahead of schedule when there is no need to necessarily do it, considering fairly favourable terms for the loan, can be considered a "PR Ploy" to play to that public opinion. After all, wouldn't they have just stated the fact and not compared themselves to other car manufacturers, even going to lengths to spell out the fact that they weren't bailed out?

It is not a bad thing, after all it is a smart move and one done so by good businessmen. But blindly assuming they are doing this from the good of their hearts "because we want to do the right thing and pay back our government" is just naive. I don't think you should consider the above as a negative comment either, there are those among us who value the business rational behind the decision, and don't get caught up in the PR fluff. I think everyone here respects and admires what Elon Musk is doing, and doing well.

[cma]

Didn't the loan place a lot of restrictions on them? You have to trade off the low interest rate against that, especially when the rate they are getting with the bonds isn't that much worse.