The auto plant Tesla acquired from Toyota in 2010 was NUMMI.
NUMMI stands for New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., a joint venture created by Toyota and General Motors in Fremont, California. The plant began operating in 1984 and became known for applying Toyota’s production methods in a unionized American factory.
NUMMI ended vehicle production in April 2010 after Toyota and GM withdrew. Tesla then purchased the Fremont facility, land, and selected manufacturing equipment for about $42 million, with Toyota also investing in Tesla. The site reopened as the Tesla Factory in October 2010 and became the birthplace of the Model S.
A common mix-up is treating “Tesla Factory,” “Fremont Plant,” or “Fremont Factory” as the original plant’s name. Those names refer to Tesla’s later operation; NUMMI identifies the earlier Toyota-GM manufacturing venture and facility. Tesla did not buy Toyota’s entire company—it bought the former NUMMI property and assets.