Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) are working together to provide competitive retail financing options to Model S reservation holders in the United States, increasing the number of ways a customer can purchase Model S, the world’s first premium electric sedan. While the relationship is not exclusive, Wells Fargo is the first financial institution to back financing for the Model S.
“Affordable financing for electric vehicles is incredibly important as it provides our customers the ability to combine their monthly payment with monthly operating costs and realize the economic benefits of an electric vehicle from day one,” said Elon Musk, Tesla Motors co-founder, CEO and Chief Product Architect. “Because the cost of electricity is significantly less than the cost of gasoline, the value proposition to customers on a purely economic level is going to be much more compelling than an internal-combustion powered vehicle.”
Availability of retail financing broadens the customer base for Model S. The actual rate, term and down payment requirements for any loan will be based on each customer’s credit profile and financing is subject to approval. Model S customers who obtain retail financing may also qualify for state tax credits, rebates, sales tax exemptions, free parking, commuter-lane passes and other perks.
“We’re proud to support the deployment of Model S as part of our efforts to accelerate a transition to a ‘greener’ economy via finance,” said John Adams, Wells Fargo’s executive vice president of Commercial Banking. “Together, through our actions and everyday decisions we can make a difference.”
Tesla recently announced its Get Amped Model S Tour, and during the next 45 days, Tesla will provide more than 5,000 test drives to Model S Reservation Holders and friends. The tour begins in Fremont, California on June 23rd and 24th, and then moves to Los Angeles the following weekend. The test drive tour will travel to select North American citiesin July and August.
Tesla will be ramping up production throughout 2012 and plans to achieve its target of 5,000 cars by the end of 2012, scaling up to 20,000 cars in 2013. Tesla has already received more than 10,000 reservations worldwide for Model S. Tesla is taking reservations online and at Tesla retail stores around the world.
Model S is the world’s first premium sedan built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, meticulously engineered to elevate the public’s expectations of what a premium sedan can be. The five-door premium sedan competes with the top cars in its class in spaciousness, handling and style, yet produces zero emissions. Because there is no internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel, the interior of the car allows for additional cargo space in the front of the vehicle and one of the most spacious cabins in the industry. The battery’s floor-mounted position gives Model S a low center of gravity and ideal weight distribution for exhilarating performance and superior handling.