Sharing the Tesla Community

Eric Jackson, October 19, 2015

What an awe-inspiring experience every time we walk into the Eden Prairie, Minnesota Service Center.  At 65 years of age, I have only owned two vehicles in my lifetime. I guess it is safe to say that I am not a car person. With that said, we bought something well beyond car-loving iconography; we invested in American excellence in engineering and extraordinary innovation. As Tesla owners, you not only own a vehicle that epitomizes engineering excellence, you become a part of the Tesla community. I can say without reservation that the Tesla members have become my second family. The Minnesota Tesla Club has monthly social events and on one special occasion threw a surprise appreciation party for the employees. 

Tesla Owners Throwing a Party for the Tesla Employees

How many car dealers will come to your house and drop off a loaner for you or come to your office for service?

Let’s face it, the traditional business model entails buying the gas car and when you need service, taking it to the dealership for the life of the car. You get your oil changes, fan belt replacement, tune-ups, all of the standard maintenance and repairs that come with owning a car with hundreds of moving parts. And, these periodic check ups and repairs can become pretty darn expensive. With the Tesla business model, you have a dramatic paradigm shift. How many car dealers will come to your house and drop off a loaner for you or come to your office for service? An employee once dropped off a Tesla mug for me. And how about the owner’s passion we give in return? We love to spread the word, so as private owners from Minnesota we drove to Iowa and Michigan on different occasions and gave 1000 citizens of Iowa and 600 citizens of Michigan a glimpse into the future and a test rides in our vehicles.  

We shares stories about the performance, the top-notch customer service and let them feel the thrill of the riding in the best car ever made

The charging stations on the way to Michigan were smooth and two more were installed since we were there in May 2015. There were no Superchargers in Iowa, so that trip took special planning. The last Supercharging was in Albert Lea. After Albert Lea, it required level 2 charging and the benevolence of a local Tesla owner.   

The media picked up the story and called us rogue and renegades; it was a huge success. On two different weekends, at our own expense, we shared stories with the good people of Iowa and Michigan about the performance, the top-notch customer service and letting them feel the thrill of riding in the best car ever made.

Part of the Minnesota Club Members leaving for Michigan

Minnesota Tesla owner being interviewed by the Iowa Media

Tags: Model S, Service, Community