Tesla, the largest all-electric vehicle manufacturer, is opening a new sales service center in Santa Ana Pueblo.
“It’s at a moment in time in our history that we’re going to look back on in a few decades and realize that we were right at the fulcrum of incredible change with incredible leadership to make that change,” Sen. Martin Heinrich said while making the announcement alongside state and tribal leaders.
The new facility is expected to open in March 2023.
“We’re not just looking out for ourselves, but overall surrounding areas and how they can benefit from our new economic adventure,” Santa Ana Pueblo Gov. Joey Sanchez said. “With climate change in the overall world, we’re taking the initiative in trying to help reduce our carbon footprint.”
A major caveat in the deal is that New Mexico prohibits direct-to-consumer vehicle sales. That means Teslas can only be purchased on tribal land. “I’ve certainly been supportive of changing that law,” Heinrich said. “I think it’s relatively antiquated, especially in the changing auto industry as a whole.”
This will be the second Tesla facility to be built on tribal land in New Mexico. The other one is located at Nambe Pueblo.