Tesla set to open dealership in Totowa
By: Matt Fagan
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Tesla's newest dealership in the state is coming to Totowa, and even though all of the paperwork and permits aren't officially finalized, the country's leading seller of electric vehicles held its grand opening July 17. [2025]
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Technically, the Route 46 at Riverview Drive location is currently one of the automaker's many service and gallery locations not yet permitted to sell the vehicles.
..... It is expected that within the next month, the state will permit the dealership, in the building that once housed Bed Beth & Beyond and buybuy Baby, to sell the electric vehicles, said Stephen Martinique, these site's sales and delivery director.
..... "It is a matter of paperwork," Martinque said.
..... In New Jersey, the company is only permitted four dealerships. Presently there's one in Paramus, Springfield, Princeton and Cherry Hill, the 12-year veteran of the company said. Once the legal nitrites are completed, Totowa and Paramus will switch roles.
..... Paramus will become a gallery and service site and Totowa a dealership.
While the Paramus site will service and display the vehicles, the actual purchase must take place Online or at one of the four official dealerships.
..... "They are allowed to answer your question, but they stop with anything transactional," Martinique said.
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The new location is part of the effort of the Urban Edge Properties, owners of the Totowa Commons mall, to fill empty buildings.
..... Tesla starting working on the space about 18 months ago by gutting the interior of booth buildings and building dozens of service bays for the vehicles.
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Not that there's much to service, Maritiniqu said. The vehicles are battery-driven and other than tires and the every 100,000 miles brake replacements, there is not much to be done. Still, he said, once everything is up and running there will be about 100 employees, with most of them able to service the vehicles.
What happens to Totowa's Bed, Bath & Beyond?
..... The combination of COVID and Amazon may have been the erasion buybuy Baby and Bed, Bath & Beyond closed, officials said. Fortunately for Totowa, Tesla found that sit located just off Route 46 highly dirigible.
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Mayor John Coiro said that stretch of Route 46 is known as the "golden Mile."
..... "They found us," Coiro said, adding that for the borough, retailers invariably replace those who leave.
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next to the new Tesla site, work is ongoing for the expected opening of a new Lidi, the popular European-based supermarket chain. The mayor expects the store to open in November. [2025]
Tesla dealing with protesters and drop in business
..... Tesla employees said for those who want to buy American-made cars, Tesla is for them as it is assembled in the United States with many American made parts.
..... "That is a fact," Martinique said.
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A study by American University concurred that Tesla may be the vehicle with the most American-made parts, and while the company has lost some of its market share, it is still the industry leader in the country.
..... The company has also had to deal with protests stemming form company founder Elon musk's connection with President Donald Trump. Protesters returned to the Paramus location several times. the auto giant in recent years had seen more competition from American automakers like GM and Ford and China;s BYD electric cars worldwide.
..... Even so, Musk's cars have a loyal fan base.
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"It was two tables and two service bays, Flemming said.
..... A neighbor let him test-drive h8is Tesla for a day and he was sold by its smooth ride. he ahs owned a few models since then and is always wowed by the improved technology.
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The cars largely drive themselves and in fact, Martinique said, if it's raining, the owners may summon the self-drivng car to act as a valet and drive up to the front door for pickup.
..... Maritinque is among the company's biggest fans. As a :car guy,: he said he initially worked for Mercedes-Benz in Montivale, but 13 years ago hi joined Tesla. He, too, was wowed by the car's performance.
..... It accelerates so fast that drivers often experience a full "G" of G-force, eh said.
..... The new service center/gallery and soon-to-be dealership is located at 545 US-46, Totowa.