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The Department of Energy has finally announced the first receipient of a low-interest loan from the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program (ATVM) program: Ford Motors. Nissan and Tesla Motors are expected to be the next in line.

Read More: U.S. DoE Begins Giving Out ATVM Loans: Ford Gets 1st One

The Progressive Automotive X Prize begins this month, with judging on the 136 official entries starting soon. To get in, these cars had to meet specific criteria, not the least of which is the ability to get at least 100mpg. The hardest to meet, however, is commercial viability. The vehicle must have a plan for mass production.

Read More: Automotive X-Prize Competitors’ List Release: 136 Entries

A lot of exciting news has happened regarding corporate partnerships and alliances over the past week or so. Volkswagen and BYD, Daimler and Tesla, and others. Car makers are entering the new era of auto manufacturing by taking a lesson from the tech sector: you can’t do it all alone anymore.

Read More: BYD Gains VW As Partner, Ford May Follow - Other Partnerships Also In the Works

While Tesla might have been the first to get into the news for their electric car’s recall, ZAP Motors came in right after them. The Tesla Roadster’s problem was with a Lotus-made rear hub. For Zap, the issue is brakes.

Read More: Tesla Not Alone: Zap Gets a Recall Too

Tesla is now recalling 75% of the Roadsters they’ve put on the road so far for a safety issue involving the rear hub. To Tesla’s credit, the recall is with a factory flaw from Lotus, who makes the Roadster’s body, and not Tesla’s drivetrain.

The recall affects 345 Roadsters made between March of 2008 and April 22 this year. In keeping with the higher-end service that goes along with a Roadster, Tesla will be sending technicians, on appointment, to the homes or workplaces of their customers to do the repairs.

Read More: Tesla Scratches Its Head: Recalls 75% of Roadsters

Elon Musk has a conversation with a very hoarse David Letterman on the Late Show and shows off the new Tesla Model S as well as giving a sneak peek at the new Elon Musk fragrance for men.

Read More: VIDEO: Tesla’s Elon Musk on Letterman With the Tesla Model S

Tesla is determined to stay in the news at all times. Back in January, it was announced that Tesla would be supplying the batteries for Daimler’s Smart Ed (now the Smart ForTwo). Well, the first model with Tesla’s input has hit the streets and Doug King of the Tesla Motors Club took one for a spin. Here’s the video:

Read More: Tesla-Powered Smart ForTwo (Video)

The first European sales office for Tesla Motors will be in London, England and will open this summer. Located at 49-51 Cheval Place, in the heart of Knightsbridge, the store will feature models for test drive as well as pre-order sales.

Read More: Tesla Motors Opening London Store

Tesla Motors unveiled the new Model S sedan at the end of march and in ten days has taken reservations for 520 cars and counting. For the bean counters, that’s $2.6 million in deposits (at $5,000 per car). The Model S doesn’t begin production until late 2011.

Read More: Tesla S Pre-Sells 520 Cars in a Week

After the Model S was revealed the other day, paying customers got the opportunity to test drive the vehicle they’ve been waiting so long to receive. The customer at the top of that list, Steve Jurvetson, got the first opportunity, and a ride with Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself showing off Tesla’s new EV.

Read More: VIDEO: Elon Musk Gives First Model S Buyer Test Drive