News

Tesla Motors opens new interactive store in San Jose, Calif.

April 17, 2011

According to the Bellingham Herald, Tesla Motors, designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles and EV powertrain components, has opened a new San Jose, Calif. store in the Santana Row shopping area where shoppers can design their own Tesla Roadster.

The Roadster, a high-end electric sports car starting around $101,500, is displayed in the middle of the store, and customers can custom build their own through a large interactive monitor. Short videos feature car designs in various settings on the road, as well as current Tesla owners talking about the experience of being a Roadster owner. Another video shows three dimensional graphics that detail Tesla's technology, from the powertrain to regenerative braking.

The store also features an open floor plan, children’s activity area, free coffee and leather chairs.

"We are revolutionizing the auto purchase and ownership experience," said George Blankenship, Tesla's vice president of worldwide sales and ownership experience. "It's meant to intrigue, inform and engage. If people are smiling when they walk out the door, we've met our goal."

Additionally, customers can share the Roadster that they've designed on Facebook. Merchandise from golf balls, T-shirts and sweatshirts to “onesies” for babies are also available for purchase.

The company has 17 stores around the world, including New York, Paris and Tokyo.