supercharger_as_marketing
The Supercharger network functions simultaneously as customer experience infrastructure and as marketing — the visible presence of Tesla-branded charging stations in premium locations (Whole Foods, Westfield malls, premium hotel properties) reinforces brand association with quality and convenience in the physical environment where prospective buyers encounter the brand outside of automotive retail contexts.
Tesla spent zero on traditional paid advertising through most of its history — no television commercials, no print ads, no banner campaigns — relying instead on media coverage of product launches, Elon Musk's social media presence, and word-of-mouth referrals from owners to generate awareness and demand at a customer acquisition cost that no traditional automotive manufacturer can approach on a per-delivery basis.