Tesla's Buckhead Store Opens Today

Consumers in the market for the Tesla electric car will be able to buy one from the company’s Buckhead store as soon as today.

Tesla’s Buckhead store, inside Lenox Square Mall next to Neiman Marcus, will open to the public on Nov. 21. The 3,245 sq. ft. showroom cost around $330,000 to build.

The car company founded by Elon Musk eschews the traditional dealership model and sells its cars directly to consumers at stores such as the one that will soon open in Lenox Square.

Georgia’s franchised car dealerships are none too pleased with Tesla’s business model, and are asking a judge to forbid Tesla from selling its products in the state unless they use franchised dealerships.

The Georgia Automobile Dealers Association (GADA) filed a petition with the Department of Revenue in late August asking for the ban, claiming Tesla’s business model of selling cars directly to buyers without the use of licensed dealerships violates the state’s Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act.

Tesla argues that GADA’s application of the act is too broad, as its provisions only apply to franchisors and franchisees, and since Tesla has no franchises the act does not apply to them. Tesla also argues that their selling of vehicles directly to consumers does not hurt any GADA member’s business.

Tesla already has stores in Decatur and Marietta, and is looking to install charging stations in Atlantic Station. A full charge takes an hour, and gives the Tesla Model S a 256 mile range.

The Tesla Model S is a fully electric car that runs in price from $70,000 to $120,000, though some eco-friendly state and federal tax credits take some of the bite out of the price tag.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Atlanta is the second-biggest electric car market in the United States, outpacing Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Atlanta was the only non-West Coast city to hit the top 14 markets for electric cars.