Fascinating technology – without petrolhead discussions

For 39 years, the Technorama trade fair in Kassel has kicked off the new classic car season. With around 400 international exhibitors, the popular market offers a hands-on experience of automotive history as well as the sale of collector’s vehicles and spare parts.

“Rare originals, fascinating technology and curious vehicle details. Professional club presentations with time for petrolhead discussions make the event perfect,” reads the organizer’s official advertising.

This year’s youngest vehicle – a Tesla Roadster built in 2010 in the color Electric Blue – did not have to hide among the other classics. Many visitors were able to marvel at an example of Tesla’s first electric vehicle for the first time. The Roadster was the first series-produced car with a lithium-ion battery. From 2008 to 2012, only 2,500 examples were manufactured at Lotus in Hethel/UK, and production was discontinued at the end of 2012. The blue roadster is number 385 of a total of 1014 vehicles built for the non-American market.
Interest in the electric classic was correspondingly high on Saturday and Sunday. Instead of nostalgic gasoline conversations, the discussion focused on battery performance and future technologies. During the tour of the hall, it also became clear that electric vehicles will forever be spared problems such as tank rust.