Tesla will move into the former Infiniti dealership (foreground) and Fresno Lexus (background) near Palm and Herndon avenues. The move-in dates are unconfirmed. Photo by Ben Hensley

Fresno’s electric car market may receive a charge in the near future with Tesla making plans for a pair of luxury showrooms in North Fresno.

Despite lacking a concrete move-in date, sources confirmed the move Thursday, including a Tesla worker at the manufacturer’s existing Fresno store east of Fresno Yosemite International Airport and a representative from Fresno Lexus at 777 W Palmdon Dr. — the future home of a Tesla store.

Tesla will maintain its service center at 2988 N. Burl Ave., but other functions will be relocated to the new location. That includes the former home of Fresno Infiniti at 711 W Palmdon Dr., which was purchased by Finnegan Dealer Group and relocated in May.

 

As Tesla sells directly to customers, it doesn’t have franchised dealerships like other auto companies. Sales are conducted online, but Tesla stores give potential buyers a place to see the vehicles, get questions answered and pick up their purchases.

Fresno Lexus, which sits next door to the former Infiniti Dealership, plans to relocate to its new home at 7201 N. Palm Ave., just north of its current location, in the near future. Construction signs and fencing have been erected around the former home of Bank of America and Covered California call centers.

Aside from Fresno’s store, Tesla’s nearest locations are in Bakersfield and Gilroy.

A message sent to the Fresno Tesla store manager Thursday morning was not returned.