Tesla Motors Opens South Florida Store

Test-drive’s available of the world’s only electric car starting December 18th at Tesla’s Store in Dania Beach.

December 17, 2009

DANIA BEACH, Fl.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tesla Motors, the only automaker producing highway-capable EVs will open its doors in Dania Beach on Thursday and offer test drives throughout the weekend of the world’s most exciting electric vehicle, the Tesla Roadster.

"South Florida is a strong market and will be a strategic base for Tesla," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "From installing solar-powered street lights to promoting the advancement and adoption of electric vehicles, this forward-looking region has established itself as an environmental leader."

US Roadster customers get a $7,500 federal tax credit and Florida owners are able to use carpool lanes during rush-hour if they replace their gas guzzler with an electric, zero-emission vehicle as well as benefiting from a 10 percent "alternative fuel vehicle discount" from Farmers Insurance.

Tesla’s South Florida store, located at 1949 Tigertail Boulevard in Dania Beach, is also the newest regional hub for Tesla’s pioneering mobile service squad. Professional technicians known as Tesla Rangers will travel to customers’ homes and perform annual inspections, firmware upgrades and other services. Tesla is the only automaker offering "house calls [ http://www.teslamotors.com:80/media/press_room.php?id=1930 ]" so all customers can enjoy service from their home or office.

Tesla’s house-call approach is an industry-leading initiative [ http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6578828/green/tesla-motors-now-makes-service-house-calls/index.html ] to give customers peace of mind – whether they live in Orlando, New Orleans or Nashville. The Dania Beach facility will be the service hub for customers throughout Florida and the Southeastern United States.

The Roadster Sport, with an acceleration of 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, consumes no gasoline. Owners simply charge the Roadster overnight and wake up to the equivalent of a full tank – roughly 240 miles of driving. The Roadster requires less routine maintenance than conventional cars. It does not need regular oil changes or exhaust system work. Roadsters have no spark plugs, pistons, hoses, belts or clutches to replace. Zero tailpipe emission means no smog checks.

About Tesla Motors

Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla sells cars online [ http://www.teslamotors.com:80/buy/buyshowroom.php ] and has delivered nearly 900 Roadsters to customers in North America and Europe. In addition to South Florida, Tesla has showrooms in California’s Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Boulder, London Munich and Monaco.

The Tesla Roadster is faster than an Audi R8 yet more efficient than a Prius. With an EPA-estimated range of 244 miles per charge, it costs less than $5 to charge.