In order to serve a growing customer base in Europe, electric car manufacturer Tesla will open more than 30 new service centres and stores across the continent, the company announced this week at the Geneva Motor Show.
Tesla will also continue rapidly expanding its supercharger network, allowing Model S drivers to travel long distances across Europe for free.
The retail, service, and supercharger expansions come as the company dials up its commitment to Europe, which continues to be a priority market for the marque.
In a recent trip to northern Europe to engage with customers, Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk highlighted the rapid increase in the rollout of the company’s Supercharger network for Europe. “By the end of this year, we expect you will be able to travel almost anywhere in Europe using only superchargers,” Musk said.
In 2013, Tesla delivered 22,477 vehicles to customers worldwide. By the end of 2014, Tesla expects combined sales in Europe and Asia to be almost twice as high as sales in North America.
Part of that projected growth will come from the UK, where right hand drive versions of the Model S will soon be introduced. Highly competitive leasing and financing options, similar to a program the company recently launched in Germany with rental company Sixt, are also expected to drive growth on the continent.
The European launch of Model S has been successful not only in terms of sales, but also for the accolades awarded to the car. In 2013, Model S was named Car of the Year in Sweden and Norway, Most Stylish Car in Switzerland, and it won the Car of the Year Prize of Honour in Denmark.
