efusco

I live ~525 miles drive from Chicago, my nearest (future) service/dealer branch. When I take delivery of my Model S I certainly don't expect a lot of problems, but some may crop up. And, at a minimum, I'll have routine maintenance/check-ups to do (? annually).

Has anyone heard if there is a plan of some sort for dealing with folks like me when we need service? Will it be up to me to transport my car all the way up to Chicago to get a rattle checked out?

I'm honestly not "worried" about this, just sort of wondering.

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EVan E. Fusco, MD
Nixa, MO
Prius owner Eagerly awaiting my Model S- R 77 Sequence number

James

I think with the volume they are discussing with the Model S, it will be necessary for Tesla Motors to partner with Mercedes. Both for distribution and service with their exisiting dealer network. It is simply not feasible for Tesla to build it all from scratch on their own.

Tesla will likely have their signature stores in the major cities. But everywhere else they need a partner.

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Tesla Roadster Foundry aftermarket accessories

The Roadster Foundry Mobile Connector (RFMC)

Cobos

Though looking at the US map they've got 3 stores on the west cost and 3 stores on the east coast. The single store in Chicago can't possible handly all of the in-between. I'd guess they will by the time Model S arrives have 1-3 more stores to cover the inland USA. After all they are talking about a Oslo store in 2010, Oslo has 500 000 people and that is supposed to cover Norways 4 mill, about half the size of Chicago :) Norway is also so long they need some way to outsource the support/service to have decent coverage.

Cobos

Arnold Panz

I agree completely. It will either require some mobile servicemen to travel to owners to do house calls, and/or training of a certain number of techs in Mercedes dealerships so that owners not near a Tesla store can get whatever service they need dome at a local Mercedes dealership. I hope/presume that they're already thinking about this and will have this nailed down long before the S starts rolling off the assembly line.

doug

Regarding the Model S, perhaps the network connection will allow technicians to run diagnostics on some of it's not conventional systems remotely. Maybe even provide "service" in the form of a software patch. Sounds a little scary, actually.

bobw

It sounds like...

TEG

Well we know that they already use some Borg parts in their cars.

walk_n_wind

I don't know - this scheme works great on the iPhone/iPod Touch. I'd totally welcome this - and the ability to remotely diagnose or monitor? That's just plain *awe*some.

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I've got 'til 2012 to figure out how I'm gonna charge my S with no driveway or garage :)

mt2

Large computer systems have been "phoning home" for years. OnStar will notify them if airbags deploy. I, too, would welcome a feature for the Model S to be allowed to check in occasionally - with caveats.

Microsoft Windows, as we all know, can download and install critical updates automatically. But I've been a victim of those patches going awry. So I set Windows to download the patches and then I install them when I can afford the time and inconvenience of repairing the damage. Most recently a patch conflicted with Zone Alarm and I lost my Internet connection. Imagine the grief of people who did not know they installed a patch and, without an Internet connection, had no way of knowing what went wrong! That's exactly the type of thing that could cause fatalities in a vehicle. So I think phoning home for updates should only occur to non-critical systems, we should be allowed to determine if we want it installed and when, and there should always be a way to back it off.

Back on topic - any of the suggestions listed for rural service are, of course, pure speculation. But I have to agree that Tesla Motors will have to address the issue one way or another before they attempt to sell the Model S in any quantity.

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Mark Tomlinson
"I am not a trouble maker; I'm a catalyst for change."

malcolm

Agreed

Also posting performance stats on the owners forum could be a bit of fun.

OT: Given the current shake-up of dealerships and service centres, which carmakers are still closer to you than Chicago? Aren't rural areas more likely to be targeted for service centre closures as the recession continues?

I know it's not very eco, but how about a mobile service centre / workshop? i.e. a big rig.