Tesla’s 22^nd location and the first new-style store on the East Coast, it features a hands-on exhibit explaining the Model S drivetrain and a design studio where visitors can customise their own car. Four pre-production Model S cars were on show at the opening last Friday.

During the summer, the carmaker will open four further stores, in Santa Monica, California, Scottsdale, Arizona, Portland, Oregon and Miami Beach, Florida. For customers outside the local reach of its network, Tesla also offers annual servicing and inspections at homes and offices.

George Blankenship, Tesla’s vice president of worldwide sales and ownership experience, said: ‘Our sales strategy is very different from the rest of the automotive industry – we put our stores in high foot-traffic locations so we can tell as many people as possible about Tesla’s incredible cars.

‘Opening our own stores allows us to ensure consumers interested in learning more about Tesla will receive an amazing customer experience from the moment they walk through the door.’