Tesla Death Watch 13: The Wizards Of Menlo Park

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Earth2tech reports that Tesla opened its second showroom last week in Menlo Park, CA. The new "palatial" space is three times larger than Tesla's original L.A. showroom, highlighting just how important the Silicon Valley is to Tesla's attempt to become a viable boutique automaker. And though the money could have been spent on say, a transmission, Tesla threw a party at its new showroom to celebrate the (eventual) delivery of cars to its patient customers. And what a party it was, by all accounts. "The parking valets seemed to outnumber the electric Roadsters," says E2T (ya think?), and an open bar served such cocktails as the Electric Margarita (great as long as you don't ask how it's made) and the Model S Mojito (if you wanted to get really delusional). Tesla President/CEO Ze'ev Drori and Chairman Elon Musk mingled with customers (martini glasses in hand) and spoke of plans for more showrooms (and accompanying parties) in New York, Chicago, Seattle and Miami. And while Tesla partied, the first dozen roadsters to be delivered to Silicon Valley customers sat in the back of the showroom, along with nine others scattered across the showroom floor in "different stages of development." They may be arriving in California at a rate of four per week, but since final assembly takes place at Tesla's dealerships, most are not yet ready for delivery. Which brings to mind the wise words of another, more famous electric innovator from a different Menlo Park: "genius is one percent perspiration, and 99 percent hype." Or something like that.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Rxphink Rxphink on Jul 21, 2008

    Just saw a silver with orange stripes Tesla Roadster on 84 coming back from HWY 1 yesterday. Good looking car, hope they make something of it.

  • David Dennis David Dennis on Jul 21, 2008

    RxPhink, that's Martin's. He finally took delivery on the 19th. I think they could make something of it, if they put their minds to building it instead of putting together their next model, worthy though that may be. D

  • Doug Doug on Jul 21, 2008

    Rag on it all you want. It was a very enjoyable party and the cars were awesome.

  • C. eloi marx C. eloi marx on Jul 22, 2008

    Doug; maybe they should get into the party planning business then, because they've certainly cocked up this whole "car manufacturer" thing.

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