News

Digital signage powers Tesla electric auto sales

April 18, 2011

According to the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News, electric automobile maker Tesla Motors has opened a new San Jose store in the Santana Row shopping area where shoppers can design their own Tesla Roadster on an interactive digital display.

The Roadster, a high-end electric sports car starting around $101,500, is displayed in the middle of the store, and customers can custom-build their own on a nearbyinteractive monitor that allows shoppers to choose the paint color, design the leather interior and even see the car "on the road" in various locations.

Another display runs short videos showing current Tesla owners talking about the experience of being a Roadster owner. And still a third display shows video featuring three-dimensional graphics detailing Tesla's technology, from the power train to regenerative braking.

"We are revolutionizing the auto purchase and ownership experience," said George Blankenship, Tesla's vice president of worldwide sales and ownership experience, in the article. "It's meant to intrigue, inform and engage. If people are smiling when they walk out the door, we've met our goal."

Additionally, customers can share the Roadster that they've designed on Facebook. Merchandise ranging from golf balls, T-shirts and sweatshirts to "onesies" for babies are also available for purchase.

The company has 17 stores around the world, including stores in New York, Paris and Tokyo.