Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Tesla readying fleet of 80 Model S EVs to use as service loaners

Fear not, Tesla drivers. When you take your Model S into the shop and need a loaner car, you'll get... another Model S.

Tesla chief Elon Musk tells USA Today that the all-electric vehicle maker will set aside about 80 Model S vehicles specifically for customers who need to take their cars in for some work. And wait, there's more. Not only will Tesla make sure the loaners are the top-of-the-line, 265-mile single-charge range variety, but the company will even have Tesla folks bring them to customers' homes or offices to eliminate the need for the dreaded drive to the shop. Musk credits Lexus with the idea of making sure customers don't have to downgrade when they take their cars to the dealer garage. Considering you're paying $600 a year for Tesla's service plan, it's the least the company could do.

Earlier this month, Tesla said it had its first-ever profitable quarter for the first quarter and that it sold 4,750 cars through the end of March, 250 more than its sales target.

http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17...rvice-loaners/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Well done Tesla. Lexus is a great model

jadu

iTrader: (42)

been seeing a lot more of these cars on the road near the Del Mar and Torrey Pines area.-No clear indication if they were loaners or not lol you know those Lexus/BMW/Mercedes/Audi of XX courtesy car etc.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Most likely owned. They are just now implementing these service loaners. I'm about 25 miles away from the Fremont Nummi plant and consistently see 7 Tesla S's almost every day in my area of Blackhawk. Not much of surprise to see them throughout the 580/680 corridors

G Star

iTrader: (2)

Musk has been saying he wants Tesla to lead in customer service so that is why he sees Lexus as the benchmark to beat.

Lexus service is badass.

Im highly considering Tesla as my next car, time to stop with this reliance on gasoline, we as the consumers owe it to ourselves to push automakers into the future by supporting great car makers like Tesla.

bagyo

I want one. Just wish there was more electric car infrastructure to ease the range anxiety of owning/driving an electric car on a daily basis and on road trips.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

A few years will see a plethora of them I'm sure

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Tesla announces 'World's Best Service and Warranty Program,' hints at future 500-mile battery

Tesla Motors has just revealed the latest edition of it 5-part announcement trilogy. Whereas the previous first installment had to do with the company's new leasing program, this episode is all about service and warranty, comes gift-wrapped in the glittery descriptor of "World's Best," and is accompanied by hints of a future battery upgrade.

The new plan improves on the California automaker's service program by adding a valet service that brings you a top-spec Model S Performance – or a Tesla Roadster, if you prefer – to temporarily replace your personal vehicle while it's being serviced. CEO Elon Musk states that this fleet of Model S service vehicles, which will initially number about 100, will ideally be less than three months old and also be available for immediate sale. Like your loaner more than your own car? You can keep it, paying "a price that is lower by 1% per month of age and $1 per mile" for your new ride and taking, likely, a similar hit on your trade-in.

Not only should the purchase scheme keep the loaner fleet nice and fresh, it may also create a cache of certified pre-owned inventory for buyers who are looking for a deal on a Tesla that starts at $69,900 from the factory, or who would rather not wait a couple months for a new, made-to-order car.

As well as no-travel hassle, Tesla has also made its $600 annual service optional without effecting the standard 5-year/50,000-mile warranty. The company has also made the battery portion of the warranty unconditional, meaning that, if you manage to somehow turn it into a useless brick (something that should be quite difficult to accomplish with the Model S), you will get a replacement unit of equal capacity free of charge.

Speaking of battery capacity, during the media call, Mr. Musk also offered some hope for those anxious for packs that hold more energy than the current EPA-estimated 265-mile/85 kilowatt-hour packs now available. In response to a question about upcoming technology improvements, he hinted that a 500-mile battery would not be an unreasonable thing to expect in four or five years. He then added that, eventually, Tesla would likely offer owners the opportunity to upgrade their vehicles with longer-range capabilities.

It all sounds pretty good to us, and we can't help but think if this upstart company keeps it up, surpassing sales of the Chevy Volt might seem a minor accomplishment. For more details on this newest warranty arrangement, you can get more details in a blog post on the Tesla website.

http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26...-mile-battery/

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

what exactly needs servicing in this all electric vehicle?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Maybe a little WD-40

kwr

Great news. I'm also considering one to replace my 7 series.
I'll wait until the '15 model year arrives to ensure most bugs have been worked out.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

given elon musk's recent rants about the 405 (and his willingness to pay his OWN MONEY to speed up the lane expansion), maybe these loaners will be used to pick up people stranded in traffic with dead batteries after listening to loud music with a/c on for ages.

LexFather

The Model S is a really well done vehicle, it drives very well and the power is very strong, the interior is well done, the cargo room is fantastic and it looks amazing.

Really something incredible from Tesla, its a real winner.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

That was also my first question

After seeing more and more on the road, I'm becoming quite interested in it.

Second question if any one knows. What is the average monthly electric bill usage for charging the Tesla on a weekly basis?
Just seeing if it's any less than filling it up with gas.