Mississippi’s first Tesla showroom is now open to the public and it is unlike any ordinary car dealership that you have ever experienced.
In a recent interview on MidDays with Gerard Gibert, Linda Martin, General Manager of the new Tesla showroom in Brandon explained that the process of purchasing a vehicle from their store is more online-centered than the typical dealership.
“You can’t walk onto our property and say, ‘I want this car right here and I’ll take it today.’ How our customers work and how the process works are you place an order online, you build your custom car. The downpayment for that is $250, and we tell our customers to be ready to take delivery of your vehicle next week or in six months,” Martin said. “By the time they get to us, financing has been completed and they drive off into the sunset and off of our lot.”
Martin added that a substantial portion of the customers that they have encountered have already placed an order on a vehicle without even taking one out for a test drive, which is rarely seen in the automobile purchasing process.
“I’d say probably 60 percent of the customers that we’ve seen just in Mississippi and Louisiana alone, they have placed their order prior to ever coming in and test driving a vehicle,” Martin said. “So, they call us after the fact and say, ‘Hey, I’ve placed my order last week. Is there any way I could come in and test drive?’ And the answer is yes. It’s as easy as booking an appointment online.”
Those interested in purchasing a Tesla vehicle or scheduling a test drive at the Brandon location are encouraged to visit the store’s website. According to Martin, there are available windows of time for one to schedule a test drive.
“We have slots — 30 minute increment slots — all day long,” Martin said adding, “So anyone who wants to can come in and take a test drive.”
The full interview with Martin can be watched below.
