Tesla owners throw surprise party for store staff
A group of Tesla owners threw a party for their local Tesla store and service centre. Last week, the group of more than 50 enthusiastic drivers surprised staff at a Tesla showroom in Minnesota with gift cards and a banner declaring their appreciation. One employee who previously worked for other automakers noted the large amount of Tesla customers who return and show their gratitude in such enthusiastic ways.
Carmakers sometimes make gestures to demonstrate their appreciation of loyal customers, but it's rare for that scenario to be reversed.

The Tesla Model S recently earned even more praise from Consumer Reports, scoring 103 out of 100 on the magazine's rating scale.

So a group of Midwestern owners decided to throw a party for the employees at their local Tesla retail store and service center.

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On September 2, over 50 Tesla owners gathered at the store and service center in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for the celebration.

Employees were initially surprised to see so many people milling about the showroom, as the event was meant to be a surprise, said Eric Jackson, one of the organizers.

The party included catered food gift cards for the employees, and a banner to be hung in the store as an expression of the Tesla owners' gratitude.

Tesla owners throw appreciation day celebration at Eden Prairie, MN Tesla Store.

The employees' reaction was "amazing," Jackson said.

One employee who had previously worked for other car brands said he had never seen customers return in such numbers, and express appreciation so emphatically, as Tesla owners do.

ALSO SEE: Tesla Owners Take Protest To Michigan; Dealer-Backed State Ban Targeted

Other praised the company itself, saying Tesla treats them well.

Enthusiasm for the electric cars from Silicon Valley isn't unusual among owners, but Minnesota owners have been particularly vocal about it.

Tesla owners throw appreciation day celebration at Eden Prairie, MN Tesla Store.

A similar group staged a rally in Iowa last fall, in response to legislation in that state restricting Tesla direct sales.

The Minnesota Tesla owners drove to a town outside of Des Moines, and offered free test drives to members of the public--who would have otherwise had to leave Iowa to get behind the wheel of a Model S.

MORE: Minnesota Tesla Owners Show Banned Model S To Iowa Electric-Car Shoppers (Oct 2014)

The rally was a response to a move by state officials to shut down Tesla drive events, after being pressured to do to by local car-dealer groups.

A similar event was held in Michigan earlier this year, to protest that state's ban on Tesla direct sales.

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