Minnesotan Tesla Owners Offer Test Drives To Potential Customers In Iowa

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Iowa may be one of the few states where Tesla itself can’t directly sell its vehicles to the public, but it doesn’t mean owners can’t at least promote the California automaker to potential customers.

KCCI-TV in Des Moines reports a group of Minnesotan Tesla owners drove to a local supermarket in Urbandale last weekend to give Iowans the opportunity to see the Model S first-hand.

One owner stated that the group aren’t fighting against the ban, but are about “sharing new technology” up-close with those who might otherwise view the vehicles from afar.

The group also gave test drives to would-be owners, something that the state’s government has also prohibited Tesla from conducting on its own.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Stuki Stuki on Oct 28, 2014

    Does Tesla provide referral incentives?

  • Stumpaster Stumpaster on Oct 28, 2014

    Interesting. Race boat owners do such thing to entice people to buy into their class, but what do the Tesla owners' interest? If they have some incentive from Tesla for doing it, are they reporting it on their taxes? I mean, these are folks that spent $100K on a car, and those folks are not really known for hanging out in mall parking lots.

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    • Gsnfan Gsnfan on Oct 28, 2014

      Perhaps many of them are environmentalists? In addition, I have noticed that Tesla has a lot of fans, especially among the younger generation and those who are tech oriented c.f. the comic strip "The Oatmeal" writing columns extolling the virtues of the Model S. Perhaps these people are also Tesla fanatics (not blaming them, the Model S is an amazing car).

  • Redav Redav on Oct 28, 2014

    Tesla cannot sell directly in Texas. Supposedly, they also cannot do test drives. However, they do have driving events where people can drive a Tesla and talk to Tesla experts. They can't sell you the car, and they can't talk about selling you a car. It's not a test drive, but for all practical purposes, it is.

  • Drvanwyk Drvanwyk on Oct 31, 2014

    Well this is cool. I'm from Urbandale and I used to work at that grocery store.

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