Tesla will open 'stores', not dealerships
Tesla Motors is planning to sell its electric roadsters through factory-owned stores rather than franchised dealerships, according to Automotive News."We can't hand over the car to an independent franchiser," said Darryl Siry, Tesla's vice president of marketing, in an interview with AN. "A traditional dealer would spend his time apologising for the car's shortcomings rather than talking up the benefits."
The all-electric vehicle could see decreases in performance over its lifetime, as the lithium-ion batteries lose their power-retaining ability.
Tesla's sales approach would be more akin to that of buying a computer from an Apple Store than a traditional dealership experience. The company expects to have an adequate retail presence by mid-2009, when its 'Whitestar' electric saloon is anticipated to go on sale.
The company has arranged for $45 million in venture capital to invest in stores accross the U.S., including New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami. In a second batch of openings, Tesla plans to target the San Diego, Seattle, Denver and Boston markets.
About 400 of the 1,200 roadsters Tesla plans to build annually have already been pre-sold. The first deliveries are scheduled to take place in November, right around the time the first store will open in Santa Monica, California.
The company has arranged for $45 million in venture capital to invest in stores accross the U.S., including New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami. In a second batch of openings, Tesla plans to target the San Diego, Seattle, Denver and Boston markets.
posted by Eric @ 11:51 AM
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