Dorset's first Tesla site to open in Ferndown this weekend

Tesla will open its first ever Dorset site in New Road on Saturday, July 16, with 14,000sqft of space allocated for test drives, electric vehicle charging stations and room to service up to four cars at once.

On Saturday the site will host a ‘Meet and Greet’ from 12pm to 6pm, where visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Tesla’s latest product updates, tour the on-site service centre, meet the staff and enjoy some light bites.

Plans for the site, which replaces the old Porsche garage, were approved by Dorset Council in May and have received widespread excitement from residents.

Tesla showroom and service centre site in New Road, Ferndown, is the first of its kind in Dorset

Before the end of the year it is hoped that superchargers – which can charge vehicles up to 172 miles in 15 minutes – will also be implemented.

All car buying is done online, regardless of whether a customer is at home or chooses to place an order in store. 

Ahead of the opening, Tesla said: “A touchless experience starts with the Tesla app, organise your service appointment choosing a time and date to suit you, uploading information on the issue as well as pictures if needed.

Here’s a sneak peak of the brand-new Tesla station in Ferndown, which is set to officially open on Saturday, July 16. More to be added to the site before then. @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/6Vaalr7syj

— Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) July 12, 2022

“With remote information, we can pre-diagnose the issue and, where possible, fix your car with a software update. If that isn’t possible, the mobile service tech will turn up for your timeslot on your driveway or work location and, with your permission, can unlock the car remotely.

“Once work is completed, the mobile technician will lock the car and get on their way. If a service centre appointment is needed, for example if a lift is required, you can arrange a touchless drop off of your car at our [Ferndown] service centre and a readily cleaned loaner can be unlocked for your use to get you on your way.

“For any non-warranty work, you are able to approve your estimate and pay for your service the way you booked it, through your app, and then collect your car without having to step into the service centre.”

Tesla showroom and service centre site in New Road, Ferndown, is the first of its kind in Dorset

The sales opening hours for the site are Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Service opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

In November 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be phased out by 2030 and that all new cars and vans would be zero emission by 2035.