Tesla (TSLA) Strong Push in Germany Hasn't Taken Hold Yet

Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA) shares are active following an update on electric vehicle sales in Germany through the first two months of 2014.

According to InsideEVs, Model S sales in Germany were 96 units, a rather low number when compared with Volkswagen's e-Up! (actual name) at 415, BMW's i3 at 408, and the Smart ED at 190. Tesla's sales did edge out Nissan, which was able to only place 95 LEAF models in Germany through the end of February.

Sales for the first three months are expected out over the next few days.

While t might see like a shocker given the recent robust sales report in Norway, Germany is a whole different market. Incomes are lower and incentives to drive an EV aren't as rich. Plus, BMW and Daimler (which owns Smart) are the hometown favorites. Plus, the Supercharger network in Europe still has a ways to go.

However, Tesla isn't giving. CEO Elon Musk recently said that the company would make a significant investment in the market. The German press release from last October is translated below:

Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, visited this week in Munich and Berlin, to give the Model S customers in Germany known three important developments, while Tesla increased deliveries in Europe in the fourth quarter and production for 2014 will further increase.

"Tesla is investing a lot of money in Germany," said Musk. "Germany is a country that is automotive engineering estimates and therefore is extremely important to us. It is a crucial step for Tesla that the Model S to market in Germany is so well received by customers."

The first important investment aiming to install Supercharger stations as soon as possible in Germany.

Initial construction will begin within the next month. First, the highway routes between Munich and Stuttgart, Munich and Zurich and Cologne and Frankfurt are to be supplied with the fast-charging stations already successfully used in the United States. The Supercharger network in Germany will continue to expand rapidly and include routes between Frankfurt and Stuttgart, Stuttgart and Zurich.

Until the end of March 2014, 50 percent of Germany be covered with Tesla fast-charging stations until the end of 2014 it will be 100 percent. This also means that Germany will have until the end of 2014 more Supercharger stations per head of population than any other country. In addition, all Supercharger stations that will be installed in Germany, upgraded to 135kW, so that they make possible a more rapid travel over long distances. Tesla points out that this network for all car companies will be available that will bring a car to market, which can be loaded with 135 kW.

The second investment, Tesla is the number of service centers rapid expand in Germany, to guarantee its Model S owners the best service and customer service. Five new service centers will be opened until the end of this year. By the end of 2014, 80% of Germans are living within a radius of 100 kilometers of a Tesla service center. This comfort and closeness to the nearest service will meet the extremely Tesla customers in Germany.

The development of the Model S was associated from the beginning with the ambitious goal to be the best car in every country in the world. In Germany, this also requires the highest level of performance on the highway. Therefore, Tesla has announced a third major step of offering a free high-speed performance upgrade for the Model S in Germany, to optimize it for the highway. This upgrade will be available for all customers in Germany, and includes a retrofit of all the Model S, which have already been delivered and are on the roads.

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