New Tesla EV store, showroom to open in Sydney

Australia will get its first stand-alone Tesla EV showroom later this year, after the US-based electric car company announced the opening of a new store in Martin Place, in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Telsa said in an announcement on Tuesday that the two storey facility would open early in the third quarter of 2016, and would house display vehicles, a design studio, merchandise and also take test drives, departing from the underground carpark connected directly to the store.

The company – which launched a major Australian recruitment drive in in February – said any customer visiting the new Sydney store would be dealing directly with a Tesla staff member, ensuring great product education and customer service.

It said the store would add to the growing operations in Australia, which included a service centre and stores in St Leonards NSW and Richmond Victoria; as well as permanent retail displays in shopping centres in Victoria and Queensland.

Tesla said that development of the new sites, alongside the development of its supercharger network, highlight the company’s commitment to the Australian market.

On March 31, the Australian market was given first bite at Tesla’s “mass-market” Model 3 – reservations only – courtesy of its position on the time zone.

Reservations for the Model 3 vehicle – expected to cost around $US35,000 – required a deposit of just $A1,500, although production of the vehicle is not expected to begin until late 2017, and may not be available until 2018 in Australia.

The Model 3 will be the third major new model to be unveiled, following the high performance (and high cost – more than $A120,000 in Australia) Model S and its various iterations, and the new Model X, an SUV with falcon wings.