Significant investments in Superchargers, service centres and Autobahn performance
Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA), visited Munich and Berlin this week to announce three major developments for Model S customers in Germany as Tesla increases European deliveries throughout the fourth quarter and ramps up further in 2014.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131023/648214 )
"Tesla is going to make a significant investment in Germany," said Musk. "This is a country that appreciates automotive engineering, which makes it extremely important to us. To have the Model S be well received as it enters the German market is a key step for Tesla."
The first major investment is the accelerated deployment of Superchargers in Germany. Within the next month, ground will be broken in locations to energize the corridors between Munich and Stuttgart, Munich and Zurich, Switzerland, and Cologne and Frankfurt. The network in Germany will quickly expand to include routes between Frankfurt and Stuttgart and Stuttgart and Zurich. By the end of March 2014, more than 50 percent of Germany will be covered by Tesla's Supercharger network, with 100 percent of the country covered by the middle of the year. In fact, by the end of 2014, Germany will have more Superchargers per capita than any other country. In addition, all Supercharger stations installed in Germany will be power upgraded to 135 kW to facilitate even faster free charging for long distance travel. Tesla wants to be very clear that this network will be open to German and other auto manufacturers that design cars able to be charged at 135 kW.
Second is that Tesla will rapidly expand the number of service centres in Germany to ensure superior vehicle service and customer support to Model S owners. Five more service centres are planned to open in Germany by the end of this year, and 80 percent of Germans will live within 100 km of a Tesla service centre by the end of 2014. This proximity and convenience will facilitate exceptional responsiveness to Tesla customers throughout Germany.
Model S was built to be the best car in any country in the world, and in Germany this requires the highest caliber performance on the Autobahn. So Tesla's third announcement is that there will be free optional high speed tuning for Model S in Germany to optimize it for driving on the Autobahn. This custom tuning will be available to all customers in Germany, including retrofitting Model S that have already been delivered and are on the road.
About Tesla
Tesla Motors' (NASDAQ: TSLA) goal is to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable transport with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs, as well as EV powertrain components for partners such as Toyota and Mercedes. Tesla has delivered over 15,000 electric vehicles to customers in 31 countries. Deliveries of Model S in Europe started this summer.
About Model S
Model S is the world's first premium sedan built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, meticulously designed and engineered to elevate the public's expectations of what a car can be. At the heart of Model S is the proven Tesla powertrain, delivering both unprecedented range and a thrilling drive experience. With a rigid body structure, nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a remarkably low centre of gravity, Model S offers the responsiveness and agility expected from world's best sports cars while providing the ride quality of a premium sedan.
Setting the bar for electric driving range, Model S offers 60 kWh and 85 kWh battery options, delivering unprecedented range of up to 500 km (on the NEDC drive cycle) with the 85 kWh variant. Both batteries are contained within the same enclosure, integrating with the vehicle in the same way, providing structural, aerodynamic, and handling advantages. The batteries use automotive-grade lithium-ion cells arranged for optimum energy density, thermal management, and safety.
Without an internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel, the interior of Model S has more cargo space than any other sedan in its class and includes a second trunk under the hood. The interior features a 17" in-dash touchscreen with Internet capabilities.
Right hand drive deliveries of Model S are due to begin in spring 2014. Tesla is taking reservations for the Model S online and in-store.
Twitter: @Tesla_Europe
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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the timing and expansion of service centres and the Supercharger network in Germany, are "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, and as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Various important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including potential difficulties in finding suitable Tesla service centre and Supercharger sites, negotiating leases or obtaining required permits for such locations as well as the risks and uncertainties identified under the sections captioned "Risk Factors" and "MD&A" in Tesla's Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013. Tesla disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements.
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