The decision means the California-based electric vehicle manufacturer will have its entire European operations run from the Netherlands, with the region’s import and distrubition centre located at Tilburg,  around 70 miles away from Amsterdam.

Tesla’s European fleet team will be based at the new facility in the city’s Zuidas district, while parts, servicing and final assembly will take place in Tilburg, and the existing operation in Eindhoven will continue as before. The first deliveries of the Model S in Europe are scheduled for July of this year, followed by the Model X (pictured) in 2014 or 2015.

George Blankenship, Tesla Motors vice president of worldwide sales and ownership experience, said: ‘Tesla and the Netherlands share a similar vision surrounding energy sustainability and a clean future for generations to come,” said “We’re thrilled to base our final assembly, distribution, service, sales and operational headquarters in the Netherlands and look forward to many years of great relationships with our business and governmental partners, and most importantly, our Dutch customers.’

During 2013, Tesla will open retail stores throughout Europe, including new locations in London, Frankfurt, Brussels and Amsterdam, with more planned for 2014. Meanwhile, service centres will open in Geneva, Frankfurt, Brussels, Hamburg and Vienna, the manufacturer said.