Tesla Model S Deliveries Begin At Carefully Choreographed Press Event

We try to be responsive to our readers. David Dennis took TTAC to task for not covering the start of deliveries of Tesla’s new Model S electric sedan at the former NUMMI plant in California yesterday. It’s a fair criticism. Starting production and making actual retail deliveries is a major milestone for any new automaker, particularly one promoting what may be a disruptive technology. The problem is that while we’re perfectly willing to dig for news in unlikely places, we’re still at least a little bit dependent on companies’ publicity machines. If a company launches a car at what Jalopnik’s Matt Hardigree characterizes as a “highly choreographed affair”, is it our fault if we’re not invited to the dance?

Some readers criticize us for attending managed press events, saying that we’re being stroked. Well, Derek already made it clear that we go to choreographed events in the hope of finding some newsworthy nugget, not to dance to some manufacturer’s tune. On the other hand, we’ll also get called out for supposedly recycling stories from other web sites. Well, that’s what you’ve got to do if you don’t go to the events. However, you have to know that the event is actually going to occur to be able to cover it, one way or another, in the first place.

Yes, yesterday Tesla invited a select number of media venues to take a tour of the factory and have a quick test drive, and yes, apparently some private individuals took delivery of their Model S Teslas at the factory. No, they didn’t announce exactly how many retail deliveries they made. No, Tesla did not broadly publicize the launch ahead of time, at least in terms of mass emails to every journalist on their mailing list. The only mention of the start of Model S deliveries on PR Newswire was a press release from the Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Transportation Group. Tesla appears to have wanted larger general news agencies, tech sites and only a select number of automotive venue to cover the launch. Some popular car enthusiast sites including Jalopnik and TTAC were not invited. So while I’m loathe to say “It’s not our fault”, it’s not like Tesla went out of their way to reach out to TTAC readers.

Tesla press release below:

Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) delivered Model S, the world’s first premium electric sedan, to its first customers at an invitation-only event at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California today. These deliveries put Model S on the road approximately one month earlier than previously announced and places the company in a good position to build 5,000 cars by the end of 2012, followed by 20,000 cars in 2013.

“In 2009, we set out to build the most innovative car of the 21st century, and since then have dedicated ourselves to developing and testing Model S to ensure that under any situation, Model S never disappoints,” said Elon Musk, Tesla Motors co-founder, CEO and Chief Product Architect. “Today we achieved our goal with an exceptional car that we believe sets a new standard for efficiency, safety, style, technology, operating cost and performance.”

Model S is the world’s first premium sedan to be built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, meticulously engineered to elevate the public’s expectations of what a premium sedan can be. The five-door premium sedan competes with the top cars in its class in spaciousness, handling and style, yet produces zero emissions. Because there is no internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel, the interior of the car allows for additional cargo space in the front of the vehicle and one of the most spacious cabins in its class.

The heart of Model S is its efficiently-packaged electric powertrain that delivers a thrilling driving experience while setting a new EPA record for electric vehicle range of 265 miles. Model S comes with three battery options – 40 kWh, 60 kWh and 85 kWh. The battery’s floor-mounted position gives Model S a low center of gravity and ideal weight distribution for exhilarating performance and superior handling. Model S has many similar features, including immediate responsiveness, instant torque and smooth acceleration that made the Tesla Roadster famous. Tesla has already received more than 10,000 reservations worldwide for Model S.

Deliveries of Model S in Europe and Asia will begin in early and mid-2013, respectively.

Pricing

Tesla’s Retail Strategy

Tesla is taking reservations online and at Tesla Retail Stores around the world. Tesla has 22 company-owned stores and galleries worldwide. The company will open four additional stores and galleries this summer at 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona, Washington Square in Portland, Oregon, and on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, Florida. Tesla plans to open about twelve New Design retail stores and galleries worldwide in 2012, mostly in North America.

When it comes to delivery, all customers have the option to upgrade to a “Tesla Personal Delivery.” With this option, Tesla will deliver their car wherever a customer chooses: at home, at work, at a friend’s house, at a hotel while on vacation, or anywhere else that brings a smile. During Tesla Personal Delivery, a Product Specialist will walk through many of the features that make Model S great and will explain important details customers need to know about owning Model S. Customers may choose to take delivery of their vehicle at Tesla’s Fremont factory where they may also receive a tour to see where their vehicle was born.

Customer Test Drives