Remember that guy Oprah leaned on? He bought Tesla Roadster #100
by Sebastian Blanco on Dec 11th 2008 at 3:26PM 
Before Tesla handed over the keys to the 100th Roadster earlier this week, all they would say was that the buyer was "a special customer." A later announcement identified the buyer as "Sam Perry, a Silicon Valley business advisor and ardent campaign supporter of Barack Obama." That may sound pretty anonymous, but there's a good chance you've seen Mr. Perry, since he gained instant celeb status a month ago when Oprah cried on his shoulder on election night. Now, Mr. Man is not only Oprah's new BFF but also cruising around in a Roadster. Not a bad life.
Perry's official statement on being the 100th person to say, "Yeah, it's mine" combines his love for the president-elect and a greener future: "I supported Barack Obama because he gets that businesses which promote a low-carbon economy will create jobs our country needs, and I support Tesla because it's the kind of company where America's future generations will work," Perry said.
Gallery: Riding in the Tesla Roadster
[Source: Tesla]
PRESS RELEASE:
Tesla Motors Delivers 100th Roadster
CEO and Chairman Elon Musk hands keys to political activist and business consultant Sam Perry.
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-Tesla Motors Inc. delivered its 100th vehicle to Sam Perry, a Silicon Valley business advisor and ardent campaign supporter of Barack Obama.
Perry, president of startup consultancy Ascendance Ventures and member of Environmental Entrepreneurs, became famous last month after an intimate encounter with Oprah Winfrey. Perry was standing with Winfrey in Chicago Nov. 4, when the talk show icon wept during Obama's victory speech.
The sobbing television host clung to Perry – a complete stranger – throughout Obama's speech. Their image was repeatedly broadcast around the world. The next day, Oprah gave a shoutout to thank the stranger, dubbed "Mr. Man", and a manhunt ensued to discover on whose shoulder Winfrey had been crying.
Within 24 hours, TV crews were camped on Perry's lawn, reporters were plying his neighborhood for interviews, and Winfrey had invited him on her show.
Perry said he became politically active for the same reasons he bought a Roadster, the all-electric, zero-emission car that gets 244 miles per charge and offers double the efficiency of the Toyota Prius.
"I supported Barack Obama because he gets that businesses which promote a low-carbon economy will create jobs our country needs, and I support Tesla because it's the kind of company where America's future generations will work," Perry said.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, chairman and product architect, said the 100th delivery marked a milestone for the 5-year-old company.
"More and more customers are like Sam – hardworking, thoughtful people who buy products in line with their values," Musk said. "Tesla is the choice for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint and liberate themselves from Big Oil."
About 1,200 people have ordered Roadsters. Tesla produces about 15 per week and will ramp up to 30 per month by spring 2009.
About Tesla Motors
San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla Motors develops and manufactures all-electric, zero-emission vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency. The Roadster, which conforms to all U.S. and E.U. safety and durability standards, is the only highway-capable production electric car of any kind for sale in the United States or Europe. Tesla also plans to begin manufacturing a four-door, five-passenger, all-electric, zero-emission luxury sedan in 2011. For more information, visit www.teslamotors.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stan Wellaway 4:12PM (12/11/2008)
"...Tesla produces about 15 per week and will ramp up to 30 per month by spring 2009.."
Beg pardon? Summat not quite right in that sentence!
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Sebastian 4:15PM (12/11/2008)
yup, looks like someone missed that over at Tesla HQ. I'm pretty sure it's 30 per week.
jpm 5:14PM (12/11/2008)
With Oprah riding shotgun, that'll bring the range down to about 100 miles seeing as how she just hit 200 pounds.
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Randy C. 5:38PM (12/11/2008)
It doesn't matter who the lucky guy is. Every Tesla on the road equals 1 more point in the GM is stupid column. "Who Killed the Electric Car"
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Brian H 3:22AM (12/15/2008)
I'm sure his Roadster will keep humming along when Omposter crashes and burns.
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SOLOMON AZAR 6:34PM (12/17/2008)
50 billion pyramid scam on wall street-enron-big three fly private jets during recession- LET the collapse occur- weed out all ugly decadent citizens that feed on society like a parasite- since the begginning of time there are the wolves that dont belong to the pack of the human race- they belong only to themselves- THE ATHEISTS-
dont want laws or rules so they may conduct their selfish ways- in america- a wonderful country built on the foundation of the christ has seen a major decay in its society past decades- WHY-
the atheists and weak of faith human beings immigrating from all parts of the world with their weak teachings and selfish behaivor- it is universal upon the planet as man is still a savage animal without dignity to be a child of god YET-
one step at a time during mans progress on earth-
and now-= global collapse and maybe global war- good- purge the earth-let the survivors learn to be their brothers keeper-
global war is necessary-
if you believe i have gone too far in this-
hear this clearly-
10 years now i offer freely a solution to HIV or any virus-
5 years i offer a solution to the energy crisis- one in which very soon all the economists will blame downturn on such- one in which american soldiers battle for-
past 2 years after dangerous experiment to prove ideology upon the net EVERYDAY to no avail- no one helps whatsoever-
no friends care- no passer bys care- no one-
man is mans worst enemy- must be this way- why- so you learn the hard way- push it till it breaks to learn- in life on all things- drugs- relationships-everything-
and now global war with nuclear weapons is at hand-
I believe it comes and it is good- the message for the few survivors- man is good- wonderful to be alive- a great gift to simply live- when human beings have a solution- listen and act-
this will be understood AFTER global war-
here is my prayer now to god because of YOU- fellow human beings
Dear father I have always walked in the light under your command- man is good and has done well on earth- yet- still a savage monkey beast that must
learn humility and respect-
I have tried to uncover myself now for ten years as your disciple- it is in my complete judgment the decadent and rich societies of the earth that have
followed the christ are now ignorant and cruel to the teachings- it is my full and complete judgment further destruction upon man MUST continue so they
may seek the truth-
let them pray for their daily bread- let them live in a fox hole again-
MY god- I pray for you to release the holy spirit upon mankind which holds back global nuclear war- I have given the message and they do not care- my
duty complete- let my words be found by the survivors after the great purge has occurred- it was desire and ambition to have this done without further
global wars- yet man proves otherwise-
let them suffer at the death of their children-= let them kill one another until all atheists are dead- let them kill each other so that those of weak
faith will grow stronger- they have no respect for you father in heaven- creator of all things- they love only themselves-
Let the wars begin globally- my duty complete
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