Tesla hires former Apple retail strategist to revolutionize buying experience

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Tesla, Electric

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]

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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.

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Fisker and Tesla taking different approaches to dealerships

Noah Joseph — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Green

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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