Toyota already has plug-in cars that use lithium batteries. They'd probably merge Tesla into Lexus and open the Supercharger network to anyone who could pay.

Have to wonder if Toyota still have the keys to the NUMMI plant.

> Isn't there a good chance they'd just mothball the whole company and keep on making regular gasoline-engine cars?

All of those companies - and the entire industry - are investing heavily in their own electric cars; some already have announced dates when they will stop production of gas engines IIRC. Depending on the price, of course, I imagine they'd love to add Tesla's prestige, patents, and maybe their talent.

My uneducated guess is that's how Tesla will end, a division of a major car-maker. When did GM last add a new brand? Imagine the bidding.

Toyota/GM/Ford/VW/etc did not become big, successful corporations by dictating to consumers what they want to buy.

No, but they might be able to remain big, successful corporations by preventing consumers from buying anything else.

That kind of collusion is not only overtly illegal, but also extremely difficult to maintain, especially worldwide.

It's certainly illegal, and it might be difficult to maintain, but I'd argue that it happens quite often across many industries, and very well could happen here.

You described it indirectly but end result is same.

It would be a lot cheaper, in that case, to not acquire Tesla and just let it collapse.