After many failed attempts of getting through to someone at Tesla, we're taking to the "interweb". This is our, now somewhat desperate, plea for help. After YEARS of standing by and supporting Tesla in Michigan...through thick and thin (relatively early supporters), we're being left out in the cold, and forced to sell our two cars (Model S 2014, and Model X 2016) and take a huge financial hit. So much so, that we may not be able to drive completely electric after this happens. Below is a letter that has gone to many people within Tesla, including Elon Musk himself. No one can do anything for us. We find that hard to believe. If anyone has any suggestions, advice, experience or thoughts, we welcome them all. It's a long read, but...here's our story.
"In 2014 I happened across a Model S driving in front of me on the road. It piqued my interest. As soon as I arrived home I scoured the internet trying to figure out what vehicle I had seen and why the license plate had read, “oil free.” I would spend the next month learning everything that I could about Tesla Motors and Elon Musk. I read every article and saw every interview that I came across. Needless to say, I fell in love. Although a thing of beauty, it was not the design of the Model S that I became enamored with. It was the company; the mission statement, the goals and the integrity with which this company was being run. It appeared to me to be a complete shift from the status quo that we have come to loathe. It was the promise of a future for our planet; a future for my four-year old daughter.
It didn’t take long for my wife and me to place our order. We were not in the market for a car, and we couldn’t really afford it. In fact, we essentially emptied our savings account in order to buy a Model S. Mind you, this was a very difficult decision on our part, but we knew that the power of the mighty dollar had a far reach. We have known for some time that a break from fossil fuels has to be the direction transportation takes in order for humankind to survive on this planet, and we knew almost instantly that Tesla Motors was the company that would light that flame forward. Although it made no financial sense for us to do so, we couldn’t withhold our support from the company that would give hope to humanity. So, without even test driving the car, we took a leap of faith. We had to put our money where are mouths were, and we were giddy with excitement to do so. In fact, the day we placed our order, I vowed on social media to never again purchase a car that runs on gasoline. You inspired a change in our lives that will reap benefits for generations to come.
One and a half years later, when the lease on our gasoline-powered car was about to expire, the only question in our minds was; do we get another Model S or do we venture further out of our comfort zone and try the Model X? The latter won the debate. We decided that we would put vacations and other luxuries on hold, and we again emptied our bank accounts.
Needless to say, we have been happy and loyal customers. My wife and I decided that we would always avail ourselves for “Tesla Time,” answering other people’s questions about Tesla to the best of our ability. It didn’t matter if we were at the grocery store, the playground or the doctor’s office. Many times, we were late for appointments because people would stop and ask questions about our vehicles. My wife and I have been some of your biggest and most outspoken advocates in Michigan, and we have gotten to know the Midwest regional managers and sales teams on a personal level. Many of our friends have ordered a Model 3 or are considering other Tesla vehicles because of our enthusiasm for this wonderful company and mission. Being a part of the “Telsa family” has been a privilege.
For better or for worse, life is never static for more than brief moments, and I soon found myself looking for employment in Canada. Fortunately for me and my family, I was able to secure a good job in Ontario. We are currently in the throes of coordinating our relocation, a daunting task in and of itself. So, imagine my shock and dismay at discovering that both the Model S and Model X are on Canada’s list of “inadmissible” vehicles. The website for the Canadian Registrar of Imported Vehicles states,
“Note-2: Tesla Motors has informed Transport Canada that Tesla service centers are currently not in a position to support the substantial modifications required to bring U.S. Model S and Model X vehicles into compliance with Canadian requirements. Contact the manufacturer for further details.”
I was shocked when I read this. So I am writing to you now to plead my case. I completely understand why you would not want Canadians crossing the border to purchase your vehicles and import them back into Canada. However, there must be a provision for people, like myself, who purchased their vehicles while living in America and then move to Canada at a later time. When we purchased both of our cars, I did not expect to become an immigrant in a foreign land, but it happened. To lose both of our cars in one fell swoop would be devastating to us, not just on a financial level but on an emotional level as well. Our faith in Tesla allowed us to take financial risks that we have never been prepared to do with any other company. To lose the only cars we own would represent a financial setback which will even effect our ability to buy a home. The resale value wouldn’t come close to what we have put into our vehicles, and certainly would not allow us to replace both cars in Canada.
So I implore you to reconsider your stance on this issue. Please allow us to make the necessary modifications on our vehicles, and please give the Canadian government permission to allow us to import our vehicles. It is reasonable to allow U.S. Tesla owners to keep their vehicles as they relocate to Canada. We clearly have no intention of trying to sell our cars in Canada or hurt the Tesla brand in any way. Myself, my wife and my daughter constitute a Tesla family, we were always in it for the long haul. Since we first learned about your company we decided to make sacrifices in order to support your mission statement. We have never abandoned you, so please do not abandon us in our time of need."
If you made it this far, thanks for reading!
