Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA) Adds Innovator to This Key Department

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has certainly been gaining some fans in the markets with its electric-car business model, and reviews of the Model S have been very positive and seem to indicate that Tesla is determined to not just be a luxury-car company that will compete, but an electric-vehicle company that will stand on its own legs as well. And with a recent announcement, it seems that Tesla may be adding some legitimacy to its brand, and it may present itself in the look and feel of future models. Which means consumers will likely feel it on the road.

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) officially filled a position that had been vacant for more than a year, when the company announced that it had hired Chris Porritt as the new vice president of vehicle engineering for the company. Porritt is a major name in the luxury-car space, as he used to be the chief platform manager at British luxury brand Aston Martin. He is credited with leading the development of the Aston Martin One-77 model in 2009. Tesla has a history of working with Aston Martin designers in the past, however; the company had previously worked with Henrik Fisker (of now-defunct Fisker automotive), who was instrumental in the development of what is now the 2012 Tesla Model S.

We noted here last week that the Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) name had apparently gained some Hollywood cachet – which in some areas might be a good thing for marketing and brand recognition – when actress Jennifer Garner was spotted getting out of a Model S. She and husband, Oscar-winner Ben Affleck, have been credited with pretty good taste in cars, and the belief that the Model S would share garage space with other Garner-Affleck vehicles would certainly lend itself to more gravitas for Tasla in the luxury segment, which is highly competitive among BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Cadillac.

Porritt has developed a reputation for quality engineering work while at Aston Martin, so this hire at Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is sure to generate even more buzz around the car industry as a whole and the luxury- and electric-car segments in specific. What do you think? Is this a big move in favor of Tesla? Does this affect your perception of the company and the stock? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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