Tesla to open its first store in Korea at Starfield Hanam mall

Electric car maker Tesla Motors will open its first store in Korea at Shinsegae Group’s mega shopping complex, Starfield Hanam, in the second half of this year.

“We have agreed with Tesla, the U.S. electric car maker, to open a Tesla retail store at Shinsegae and decided to cooperate for its retail sales in Korea," Shinsegae Department Store said on Thursday.

Starting with Starfield Hanam, Tesla will open a series of retail stores at Shinsegae. “We are considering opening additional retail stores in other Shinsegae branches including the Gangnam branch," Tesla said. "Additional stores are expected to open in 2017 or 2018.”

Shinsegae Group will set up 25 “Destination Charging” stores at its own distribution network including Shinsegae, Emart and Starbucks, by the first half of next year. Destination charging is a station where customers can charge their electric car while they are shopping, having a meal, or staying at a hotel.

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