Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Dealers' suit against Tesla dismissed in MA court]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/04/dealers-suit-against-tesla-dismissed-in-ma-court/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/04/dealers-suit-against-tesla-dismissed-in-ma-court/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/04/dealers-suit-against-tesla-dismissed-in-ma-court/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Tesla has been facing resistance from dealer associations with its factory-owned dealerships since the start-up automaker first started selling cars, but it won another big case in Massachusetts when a judge dismissed a lawsuit brought on by the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association (MSADA). According to Automotive News, the case was dismissed after the judge said the association "lacked standing to sue" despite the fact that MSADA executive vice president quotes the state law as saying, "A factory cannot own a store."

The latest lawsuit follows a similar suit from back in October where the MSADA attempted to prevent Tesla from opening a store in a suburban Boston mall; the electric car maker received approval to open another store in Natick, MA, which brought on this second lawsuit. It's unlikely this is the last we've heard about this issue in Massachusetts and in other states, but Tesla seems to be coming out victorious in each case so far. While laws pertaining to dealerships vary state to state, factory-owned dealers are usually noncompliant with state law - a lesson Chrysler learned back in 2011.

Dealers' suit against Tesla dismissed in MA court originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factory owned car dealershipmassachusetts state automobile dealers associationmsadastate franchise lawsteslatesla dealershipFri, 04 Jan 2013 15:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20416918/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/04/dealers-suit-against-tesla-dismissed-in-ma-court/20416918/article-detail.xml 20416918 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tesla-store-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tesla-store-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla hires former Apple retail strategist to revolutionize buying experience]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/08/tesla-hires-former-apple-retail-strategist-to-revolutionize-buyi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/08/tesla-hires-former-apple-retail-strategist-to-revolutionize-buyi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/08/tesla-hires-former-apple-retail-strategist-to-revolutionize-buyi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Tesla has, if nothing else, crafted a unique automobile in the Roadster. It's electric, very attractive and highly desirable. Up next, assuming all goes according to plan (a rather big assumption, granted), the Model S sedan will be equally special in the global automotive marketplace.

Such machines deserve an equally unique buying experience and the Silicon Valley firm has hired former Apple and Gap Executive George Blankenship to turn that idea into reality as Vice President of Design and Store Development.

Blankenship will go right to work, with his initial projects said to include opening Tesla Stores in Tokyo, Toronto and Washington, DC. For his part, Blankenship sounds ready to take on the project, saying:
Joining Tesla allows me to work with some of the boldest and brightest people on the planet while changing the world for the better. I'm excited to create a retail experience that is as thrilling as my first drive of the Tesla Roadster.
Judging from his past efforts, we are expecting big things from Tesla's retail developments... and it sounds like Elon Musk got a head start on his wish to make his Tesla Stores "a cross between an Apple Store, a Starbucks and a good kitchen."

[Source: Tesla]

Continue reading Tesla hires former Apple retail strategist to revolutionize buying experience

Tesla hires former Apple retail strategist to revolutionize buying experience originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>george blankenshipGeorgeBlankenshipTeslatesla dealertesla dealershiptesla dealershipstesla model stesla motorstesla roadstertesla storetesla storesTeslaDealerTeslaDealershipTeslaDealershipsTeslaModelSTeslaMotorsTeslaRoadsterTeslaStoreTeslaStoresThu, 08 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19546955/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/08/tesla-hires-former-apple-retail-strategist-to-revolutionize-buyi/19546955/article-detail.xml 19546955 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/tesla-model-s_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/tesla-model-s.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker and Tesla taking different approaches to dealerships]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/fisker-and-tesla-taking-different-approaches-to-dealerships/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/fisker-and-tesla-taking-different-approaches-to-dealerships/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/fisker-and-tesla-taking-different-approaches-to-dealerships/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Both Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors are bringing electric-powered luxury sedans and convertibles to market, but each is going about it in entirely different ways. Fisker's strategy, steered by former BMW and Volvo sales director Vic Doolan, is to license independent dealerships - some of the biggest in the country - to sell their premium green automobiles on their behalf. Tesla's approach, on the other hand, is to set up factory-owned stores which the company likens to Apple stores.

Of course, each approach has its benefits and drawbacks. For Fisker, makers of the Karma sedan and upcoming Karma Sunset convertible, selling through existing dealers promises to streamline the process, tapping into professionals already savvy to the local market, capable of dealing with customers and able to exchange used cars. Tesla, on the other hand, which makes the Roadster (pictured right at the company's LA store) and upcoming Model S, wants to more directly manage the sales and service process with its own retail outlets. However, that comes at the cost of rapid expansion. So far Tesla's only got stores in California, though additional locations are planned for Chicago, New York, Seattle and Washington, London and more.


Gallery: Tesla Motors Menlo Park Store


[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Fisker and Tesla taking different approaches to dealerships originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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