TESLA is set to significantly expand its physical presence in Northern Ireland.
The US electric car manufacturer has taken over the former Donnelly Honda showroom on Boucher Road in Belfast.
It comes just over three years after Tesla opened its first site in the north.
The Tesla service centre opened in the former Trust Ford site on the Boucher Road in August 2020, creating 15 jobs.
It’s thought the new larger site just across the Boucher Road will replace the existing centre.
The unit was previously used for the Donnelly Group’s Honda showroom, until it relocated to a site in nearby Glenmachan Street during 2021.
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It followed a £3 million investment by the independent motor retailer.
One of the units now occupied by Tesla was previously used as a kitchen showroom, before the Donnelly Group acquired SMW Suzuki from the Agnew Group in 2017 and moved it next to its Honda showroom.
The US auto giant appears to have converted the entire retail warehouse at Boucher Road into a single Tesla unit.
It marks a significant ramp up in its physical presence in the north.
The exterior work, including Tesla’s new signage, and the installation of new charging points, appears complete.
Carrickfergus-based fit-out firm McCue has been contracted for the interior fit-out, which is nearing completion.
The large showroom site also includes two car parking areas.
Tesla has been contacted for comment on its Belfast move.
Meanwhile the electric vehicle group took a hit on the stock market last week after revealing lower third quarter results than anticipated.
Revenue for the third quarter was $23.4 billion compared with analyst predictions of $24.09bn, with total gross profit declining 22% year-over-year. Earnings were $0.66 per share compared with a predicted $0.74, translating to a net income of $1.9bn – compared with $3.3bn one year ago.
Speaking last week, Elon Musk, Tesla's chief executive and largest shareholder, cautioned that the company's new Cybertruck would not deliver significant positive cashflow for 12 to 18 months after production begin.
Musk also expressed concern over the high interest environment, adding: "We have to make our products more affordable so people can buy it.”
The company has also announced that its upgraded Tesla Model 3 is now available to order in the UK and Ireland.
Tesla said customers who order now can expect deliveries in January or February of next year.
Prices start at £39,990 in the UK for the rear-wheel-drive Model 3, while the dual motor all-wheel drive version starts at £49,990.
In the Republic, prices for the RWD Model 3 start at €42,990, rising to €50,990 for AWD.
