SpaceGhost Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 http://m.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2012/11/27/tesla-picks-dublin-for-electric-car.html?r=full Tesla picks Dublin for electric car maker’s 1st service center in Ohio by Dan Eaton Business First Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2012, 2:55pm EST Tesla Motors Inc. is plugged in to Dublin. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based maker of electric vehicles is bringing an almost 3,000-square-foot service center and repair operation to 4140 Tuller Road, the company’s first facility of any kind in Ohio. Spokeswoman Christina Ra said the company, which makes its cars upon orders rather than mass production, knows where its customers are. “We can forecast very specifically,” she said. “We know where there’s a need.” The center is scheduled to open by March and will service Ohio and much of the Midwest. The company has 30 service locations open or in planning, but the bulk of those are on the coasts. There is a service facility open in Chicago and one in the works for St. Louis. Ra said the company expects to have a service center within 100 miles of 90 percent of its customers by March. It also serves customers via its “rangers,” technicians who will drive to a customer’s home to perform service. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has been producing its two-door Roadster since 2008 and began delivering its Model S sedan to customers in June. The company also is developing the Model X sport utility vehicle expected to be on sale in 2014. It has sold more than 2,400 Roadsters and has amassed more than 13,000 reservations for the Model S. Just this month, the Model S was singled out by Motor Trend magazine for its prestigious 2013 Car of the Year award – the first time in the 64-year history of the award that a vehicle without an internal combustion engine has won the honor. It bested a field of 25 contenders, including the Marysville-made 2013 Honda Accord, which made the cut as a finalist. “We recognized right away that this would be a big win,” said Brad Kitchen, president of Alterra Real Estate Advisors, leasing agents and property managers of the Dublin space, which sits along Interstate 270 just west of Sawmill Road. The facility will be in the Spectrum Commerce Center II, which already has an auto technology bent. Audi and Volkswagen have a technician training center in the same building. “Dublin is so tied in with technology, it’s good match,” he said. Colleen Gilger, Dublin economic development manager, agreed that Tesla is a nice fit with the community. “They have blended technology and environmental responsibility into a superior product,” she said. “That ties in well to our Dublin brand of being a cutting-edge community always advancing our sustainability and technology initiatives.” Tim Taylor, Alterra vice president of commercial leasing, did the lease. Tesla has 24 stores and galleries open or planned for the U.S. and Canada. Car orders also can be placed online. Ra said the company is exploring opportunities in all major metropolitan areas for stores so Columbus could be in the works down the road. Though I'd post, maybe this could be a career opportunity too for someone here, not just a selling point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledhead36 Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 Mine should be here next week, having a service center close will be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickey4271647545519 Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 Wonder how many Tech positions they'll have there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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