The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association sued the Missouri Revenue Department and now a judge has ruled in their favor on part of their claims in Missouri.
Cole County Judge Daniel Green ruled that the Missouri Revenue Department violated state law when it gave the California-based manufacturer a license for a University City dealership in 2013 and a franchise dealer license for a Kansas City dealership in 2014. That allowed the automaker to sell cars directly to customers instead of through a dealership serving as a middleman.
[...] Tesla has faced similar roadblocks to selling its cars in several states with dealership laws similar to Missouri's. In some of those states, legislators have been looking at ways to tweak laws and let the company operate.
Previously: Tesla Direct Sales Blocked in New Jersey
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 02 2016, @04:43PM
Tesla should use this as sales tactic: "It's so revolutionary, the traditional car co's bribed [Your State Here] to ban it"
It gives it a Skunk-Works kind of feel.
It's likely at least one legislator who voted on the ban bills received money from the traditional car makers such that the "bribe" claim can stand up in court.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 02 2016, @09:08PM
That would work, except they don't advertise. They literally sell every vehicle they can possibly make, with almost no advertising costs whatsoever (save storefronts and fancy press releases).