First Tesla flagship store launches in Sydney's centre, for lunchtime cruises

Tesla is powering into the Australian market with its first retail store in the country.

The iconic American electric car brand, created by Elon Musk, is making its mark locally, moving into an iconic retail area of Martin Place in the heart of Sydney's business district.

A brand that likes to do things differently, this isn’t any old car showroom. It will have a Powerwall, the company's home battery, on display and Teslas available for test drives but it will be designed in the vision of a retail store. There will be no stock held at the venue.

"The aim of the shop is to educate people on what Tesla can offer in terms of EVs and home storage," Tesla spokesperson Heath Walker told Renew Economy. "The difference is we’re not a traditional dealership, we don’t actually have any stock held in our stores. The aim is to give people the opportunity to learn about our products, and even test drive them."

The two-story store looks more like an Apple store than a car dealership, with three Model S vehicles on display along with a lounge area to design your own Tesla. At a cool $200,000 a pop for the top model, it sounds like a great lunch time novelty destination. 

There are already two service centres with stores in St Leonards, Sydney, and Richmond, Melbourne, but this is the company’s first flagship store Down Under. In 2017, it may be the first place for consumers to get a glimpse of the all-new, cheaper Model 3. 

So if you have been dreaming of getting your hands on one of these silent beasts, consider a zoom around the city in peak hour. That is sure to impress your colleagues.