Tesla has opened what officials call the “first ground-up construction, full-size sales, service and delivery facility on U.S. tribal lands” at Santa Ana Pueblo.
The 35,000-square-foot facility opened June 1, featuring a sales-and-delivery center, vehicle showroom, customer lounge, 19 service bays and a parts-and-storage area.
Tesla, according to KOB 4 News, is also partnering with the Pueblo on workforce training and STEAM-focused education outreach to local high schools.
“Pueblo of Santa Ana’s partnership with Tesla is another example of the centuries-long commitment the Santa Ana people and all New Mexico pueblos and tribal peoples have shown toward protecting our natural resources while creating economic opportunity,” Pueblo of Santa Ana Gov. Nathan Garcia told KOB 4 News.
The Tesla location is expected to create 25 permanent jobs. Training programs are already available to Pueblo members, including an externship and robotics program.
“Our partnership with Tesla is another step along our path of creating thriving, diverse and forward-looking economic opportunity on our lands that are mindful of our environment, move our local and state economy forward, and bring our communities together,” Garcia said, according to KOB 4 News.
Santa Ana Pueblo first announced the addition of the Tesla dealership last October, according to KOB 4 News. It is the second Tesla facility in New Mexico. The other facility is on Nambe Pueblo. The dealerships are on tribal land because the state of New Mexico prohibits direct-to-consumer vehicle sales. However, state leaders praised the two facilities opening in the state.
“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,” U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) said back in October.
Heinrich said he’d also like to change the law that prohibits direct-to-consumer vehicle sales.
“I’ve certainly been supportive of changing that law,” Heinrich told KOB 4 News. “I think it’s relatively antiquated, especially in the changing auto industry as a whole.”
