Report: Tesla’s Elon Musk says new CUV model due in 2013

IED Tesla EYE concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tesla EYE design concept we saw in at the Geneva Motor Show was just an experiment some students at the Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin did with the Tesla brand. But the idea that we will see more and new vehicle models from Tesla Motors is a fact, as CEO Elon Musk reaffirmed this week during his acceptance speech for the Automotive Executive of the Year Innovator Award. AutoWeek was on hand and reports that Musk said that, after the Model S arrives in 2012, Tesla will introduce a crossover utility vehicle and other models starting in 2013. There’s been talk about a Tesla SUV since at least 2008.

On the smaller side of things, Tesla’s alliance with Daimler is moving forward with supplying electric vehicle technology for a Mercedes A-Class and the next Smart. For those of you who think Musk has a big ego, he said something in his speech that minimizes the impact of cars like the Tesla Roadster: “The smallest effect Tesla will make will be the cars we make ourselves. The biggest effect will be the cars they [other companies] make.”

Gallery: Geneva 2010: IED Tesla EYE concept