[shoeless]

Why not Detroit? The labor force is there, the costs (real estate, labor, taxes) must be considerably in favor of something of this scale, and it's in line with the automotive industry. In that Michigan is hurting from the down slide of traditional auto manufacturers, I would think it would endear Tesla to the industry, or at least the workers.

[nkoren]

Tesla doesn't need to endear themselves to the workers; they use robots wherever possible. Detroit is home to powerful organisations (the unions) which are famous for their resistance to automation; that, if nothing else, is probably sufficient reason to steer clear of it.

[jusben1369]

Do they need to endear themselves though? They seem to be striking partnerships with car manufacturers.

[toomuchtodo]

As others have mentioned, Just In Time production capability. If you're in Reno, you're ~3 hours away via roads. If you're in California, you're even less time from the vehicle integration facility.

[andrewtbham]

Too far from the plant in freeemont