Tesla Launches Model S CPO Program, Tells No One

Tesla Motors has an issue with their Model S. It’s not that it’s doesn’t receive rave reviews or outrageous hype … it does. For the past two years it’s been called the top vehicle from Consumer Reports and it has media buzz that rivals Apple. However, it’s expensive.

A Tesla Model S sedan cost anywhere from $70,000 to over $100,000. That’s not your typical consumer pricing, it’s more on the side of the lower-end exotics. Sure, Tesla has promised they will get their Model III Sedan down to $35,000, however, that hasn’t happened yet. Tesla Motors is at least two years and one Gigafactory away from an electric car for the masses, however, there could be another way. Tesla could drive down the cost of some of their vehicles in the CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) Market. That appears to be exactly what they are doing.

Tesla has quietly begun a certified pre-owned vehicle program. We told you in October Tesla said this would happen, eventually. Simon Sproule, the Vice President of Communications for Tesla, confirmed his organization would eventually create a program to sell CPO Teslas. In an email with Automotive News, Sproule said, “With the Model S fleet now heading toward the first cars hitting three years old, we are looking at CPO and how best to structure.”

Those in Tesla forums have called this a “soft launch.” A post in a Tesla Motors forum shows an individual who supposedly bought a CPO Model S for $75,000. The user reportedly didn’t know this was a strange occurrence as he was posting on the forums about issues with the car. After realizing the gravity of the situation, he posted more pictures of the packet. Making this situation more interesting is the fact this user supposedly picked up the CPO vehicle in New Jersey. The exact location is the Paramus, NJ service center. Direct-to-consumer new vehicle sales are of course, not allowed in New Jersey. However, this is a used vehicle, thus not subject to the same concern as the new vehicle automaker laws that have caused controversy.

There is not official confirmation of this sale or this program occurring. Attempts to reach out to Tesla Motors on this issue also received no official response. However, a visit to the official Tesla Motors website reveals that they are currently operating a CPO program for their Tesla Roadster. However, using the search function at the bottom of the page, we at DrivingSales News weren’t able to find any listings for CPO Roadsters. However, a 2010 Roadster reportedly sold for $60,000 from a private party back in July of 2014. The consumer reportedly had their vehicle fully certified as a CPO prior to purchase. For the time being, it appears that Tesla is being uncharacteristically low-key about the launch of this program.