New Zealand’s First Tesla Model S has Landed

For Immediate Release

New Zealand’s First Tesla Model S has Landed!

The first Tesla Model S to reach New Zealand shores arrived in Auckland port today.

On September 7th 2014, Steve West took possession of the brand new fully electric luxury car at the Tesla distribution centre in the Netherlands. He drove the car himself to South Hampton Port, England where it was loaded onto a boat for its long journey to Auckland.

Along with a growing group of good friends, and like-minded colleagues, the West Family has been campaigning since 2008 for the uptake of Electric Vehicles (EV) here in New Zealand.

“Electric Vehicles offer New Zealand an easy escape from our dependency on foreign oil. Not only is the fuel less than a quarter the price, it’s 80% renewable and 100% New Zealand made. Add the savings from near-zero maintenance costs, and it’s a no-brainer.”

In the family garage the Model S joins their 2012 Nissan Leaf, and the only Tesla Roadster in NZ.

EV owners and enthusiasts from around the country are joining forces in an effort to talk to as many people as possible about the benefits of EV use and ownership.

The couple will soon be hosting a private landing party at their home on Auckland’s North Shore. The party will host members of the press and thought leaders who will discuss Electric Vehicle uptake and energy independence for New Zealand. The lucky guests will also be treated to a ride in the car.

In January, the family will be taking both Teslas on a road trip from Cape Reinga to Bluff. They will be stopping often so that people from all over the country can come and see the cars first hand.

The couple also launched a Facebook page to try and get the attention of the charismatic CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk. The unsubstantiated rumour mill has it that the billionaire might be stopping through New Zealand on his way to Antartica.

“Even if he doesn’t pop in for a cuppa with us, we’d really like to get his attention and help convince him to bring a Tesla sales and service centre here to New Zealand. Getting your hands on a Tesla is a major undertaking currently. If they agreed to enter the New Zealand market, current and future models of these cars would be easily accessible for Kiwis. It would be a game changer for EVs in New Zealand!” says an enthusiastic Dee West.

If you’d like to know more about Tesla cars and other EVs here in New Zealand, please register your interest at the public group Elon in Aotearoa on Facebook and join the conversation. Joining the Facebook page will mean you are able to get regular updates and news on Tesla. There will also be regular public updates on the page of where you will be able to see the cars as they journey around New Zealand this summer.

For further information or to register interest in a test drive or attending the EV landing party on November 22nd as a member of the press or an engineering, infrastructure or sustainability expert please contact Dee West directly.

ENDS

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