Meet The Americana Tesla
Images capture words, yet this one evokes the powerful spirit of American patriotism along with a Tesla owner’s love for her Model X and her country. The photographer, Mattos Media, captures the true essence of what it means to be American, especially since her Tesla is made by an American car company founded by an immigrant who came to the United States because he believed in the American Dream.
Many Americans are proud to be American. Our nation has overcome so much and is a reflection of its people — people who come from all backgrounds, all walks of life, and unite as one nation.
At times, our cultures may clash, but ultimately, the beauty lies in the fact that we all come from various backgrounds and America is our home. Some are born here. Some, like Elon Musk, came here with hopes and dreams to make America their home.
Elon Musk is a citizen who votes and loves this country. Tesla is an American company. Yet there are major myths that hint otherwise. Perhaps people think that because Elon was born in South Africa, or because the inventor Nikola Tesla was born in Croatia (and also became a naturalized U.S. citizen), Tesla is just another foreign car company.
Perhaps it’s through ignorance or lack of doing one’s own research that leads some people to think that Tesla isn’t American. Yet, Tesla is just as American as gumbo on a cold winter’s night. [Editor’s note: Apple pie might be a better reference for those of us outside of Louisiana.]
Many Tesla owners seek to educate their friends, coworkers, relatives, and communities about Tesla, including the fact that, yes, Tesla is made right here in America. One such owner is retired U.S. Army Specialist Christi Mariani, who is the owner of the Americana Tesla. Both Christi and her fiance have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their patriotism is one of the many things that influenced their decision to transform their Model X into a beautiful representation of the USA.
Christi’s children named their Model X Americana Dory. I had the privilege of having a quick Q&A Session with Christi about her Americana Tesla. They recently took a Tesla road trip — which has become a popular pastime of Tesla owners around the world.
Q&A With Specialist Christina Mariani — US Army
1. What inspired you to buy a Tesla vs other EVs?
The Pros:
It’s faster than most other EVs. When planning a trip, it maps out superchargers on the way.
It has a reputation and I wouldn’t say that they have worked out the kinks but they have worked out a lot of the kinks and if they have to do an update they are really fast at doing so. Updates are over the air (WiFi) vs taking it in person.
Less moving parts vs. other EVs, which have a ton of moving parts because they are a lot like normal cars just electric. Most others have over 100 moving parts vs Tesla, which has 17. It has better charge milage.
If you want more features you can pay and download them vs. buying a whole new car. Though Teslas are all the same, they all have the same features, which are nice because you don’t have to worry about different models per se. You only have to choose a color, drive train and distance (long or short), whereas other EVs you have to choose leather, heated seats, features, but with Tesla, you do not.
Other EVs do not have TRUE self-driving, they have drive assistant. Which is another selling point because of how much I drive. It has internet and Sirius XM and LTE built into it for only $100 a year and others do not. Backup camera is a standard.
Self-parking and parallel parking, amazing Dolby surround sound, heated seat on ALL seats, not just the front, and heated wipers, steering wheel as well.
In Valet Mode, you can summon your car to you in tight spots. You can start the car and turn on AC from any distance. If you forget your keys, you can log onto the app and sign in and drive without the keys. The car records at 360°, so any noise, volume, or person who comes around the car it will record them. If they break the window, the music blares and they show their picture on the screen and alert your phone.
You can also lock your car to where you need a pin to drive as well. You don’t have to worry about your debit card when you hook up or plug in the car, it automatically charges your card.
2. About your road trip — how long is the trip and what cities have you or are going to be passing through?
24 hours is my most recent trip but I’ve driven 23,000 miles in three months, so there are about 50 different cities and superchargers I have been too.
Columbia, MO
Saint Louis, MO
Kuttawa, KY
Manchester, TN
Atlanta, GA
Tifton, GA
Ocala, FL
3. What is the most common reaction to your car?
WOW, OH MY GOD THAT’S AMAZING!
4. Have you encountered anyone who doesn’t like Tesla?
I don’t think I have had many BAD reactions. I have had more people with bad information than doesn’t like them, but once I tell them more about it, then they want more information and want one.
5. I love your wrap. It’s patriotic and inspiring. What made you choose this one above any others?
I chose to do this because I am a medically retired military veteran and my fiancé was in the army for 10 years as a military police officer and for the last 5 years as a civilian police officer.
6. Is there anything you would like to add?
Once you go Tesla, you never go back. Once you go electric, you will never go back to gas because of the ease and simplicity of them.
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Innovating & Leading Again
The reason I asked her question number 4 was because of Wade’s experience in Alaska where he encountered a woman claiming that Tesla was un-American — that, along with a few in-person conversations with non-Tesla owners who don’t know that much about Tesla other than it’s an electric car.
That was odd, while checking into the RV park a woman kept saying I was "un-American" for driving an electric car.
I really hope @Tesla can get the charging network in place for Alaska, if charging stations are here, people here will own them & can start changing their perception— wade (@WadeAndersonPT) July 26, 2019
Although the automobile was first invented in Germany, as well as France in the 1800s, Americans quickly began to dominate the industry. It was a huge part of our prosperity just after the Great Depression. However, the industry was overtaken by Japan in the 1980s. The way it has evolved, though, Tesla is poised to not only take on, but in my opinion, bring the U.S. back into the lead as the company continues to revolutionize the industry.
The lesson to learn from this is that an idea can start somewhere, take root, branch out across oceans, flourish, wilt a little bit, then flourish again into a brighter, better version of its original concept.
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