Flat Rock – One of the joys of owning an exotic car is maintenance. Not only are OEM parts difficult to find, but there may also be no aftermarket options available. Additionally, the elitism of the brand is maintained by requiring special credentials for mechanics, who are typically located a couple of hours from Asheville at best.
One formerly exotic make, Tesla, has been in the news frequently. Spotting one used to be almost as thrilling as seeing a Rolls-Royce or Bentley out in the wild. However, for a time, it seemed that every fifth car on I-40 was a Tesla. It’s uncertain how trends will evolve now that markets have been disrupted by Elon Musk’s rapid rise to political prominence.
Regardless, these cars cannot simply be taken to a dealership for repairs because Tesla markets directly to consumers. The company has navigated around franchise laws by establishing Tesla stores in states that permit it and setting up educational galleries in other states. Anyone can purchase a Tesla through the corporate website, and Tesla even operates mobile stores, which are essentially Airstream trailers towed by one of Tesla’s smaller vehicles, the Model X.
The good news is that Teslas, unlike many other green products, are genuinely low-maintenance. They do not require regular oil changes and lack fuel systems or spark plugs that can fail. They also utilize regenerative braking, a method that diverts the motor’s torque to recharge the battery, thereby slowing the vehicle with less friction on the brakes. Additionally, they do not need to pass annual emissions tests.
The downside is that Teslas still require unavoidable maintenance, such as tire rotations and filter changes. For this, Tesla owners cannot simply visit a local or chain garage, nor can they go to a dealership. Therefore, the company operates Tesla Mobile Service, where most electronic issues and minor problems can be addressed with a house call from a friendly technician.
However, larger issues can arise, such as a hurricane causing a tree to fall through the windshield or vandalism. For assistance with significant problems, there are Tesla Service Centers. These facilities serve as maintenance garages and more. In addition to their sleek, modern design, they also host classes that teach DIY maintenance. It is unlikely that anyone would want to drive for hours to attend one of these classes when their car is broken down. The nearest Service Centers to Asheville are located in Knoxville and Charlotte. Towing a vehicle 100 miles to either location could cost around $600 if I-40W is open; this serves as a considerable deterrent to purchasing a Tesla, alongside concerns about finding charging stations.
Getting to the point of this article, some intriguing local news emerged on the discussion board for the Tesla Motors Club. In 2023, Tesla reportedly purchased the former site of the Asheville Event and Dance Center on Sweeten Creek Road. However, corporate executives decided not to proceed with this location and instead opted to “look at a smaller city closer to the South Carolina border.”
Speculation arose that this new location might be in Flat Rock due to a permit filed with Henderson County that stated, “Tenant Improvement/Interior renovation for an Auto Sales, Delivery and Service Center.” By exploring various dropdown menus, one could find the phrase “Tesla Center Flat Rock.” The address is 118 McAbee Court, Suite 100, which places it across I-26 from Blue Ridge Community College, just north of the Upward Road exit.
With permitting and inspections pending, Tesla invited members of the public to a demo drive event on August 14. Tesla marked Flat Rock on its map of Service Centers, but the construction permit expired on August 26. Hurricane Helene passed through, and on October 3, attention was drawn to an Instagram post from the county stating, “A donation drop-off site has been established at 118 McAbee Court, Flat Rock…” With no further updates, it appeared that hopes for a local Tesla Service Station and even a dealership had vanished when one aficionado commented that the building couldn’t have been severely damaged by the hurricane if the county deemed it suitable for distribution.
No one in the discussion group knew what to make of a new permit created for “Asheville Industrial Owner, LLC.” Then, on March 13, it was revealed that the application intake and review for the Tesla Center Flat Rock was now “in progress.”