How many states are still blocking Tesla stores and service centers?
How many states are still limiting the number of stores Tesla can have? Do those consider a Service Center a store?
I'm betting that any where someone is hours away from a Tesla site there is a state law restricting Tesla from opening sites where they want to / need to.
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Alabama (also bans service centers)
Alabama regards manufacturer-owned new motor vehicle stores and service centers as "unfair and deceptive trade practices".
[47] In August 2016 State Senator
Tom Whatley introduced Senate Bill 22, assigned to the Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee, which would allow a manufacturer of alternative fuel vehicles to sell and lease its vehicles directly to the public.
[48] The bill died in committee.
[49]
South Carolina (also bans service centers)
South Carolina bans manufacturer ownership of new car dealerships and manufacturer service/repair of cars they do not own. A bill was introduced in 2019 to allow electric only manufacturers to sell in the state.
[50] However, Tesla does offer mobile service in the state.
New Mexico (also bans service centers)
2006 New Mexico Statutes, Section 57-16-5-V prohibits manufacturers like Tesla to be licensed as a dealer, directly or indirectly performing warranty or other services.
[51] Despite Tesla owners' pleas to change the law, they still currently depend on Tesla facilities that are either on tribal land or out-of-state for Tesla sales and services.
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and others I didn't copy that have issues where they can't do warranty repairs or specific activities in the state.
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Mississippi (1 store limit)
On March 14, 2023, Governor
Tate Reeves of
Mississippi signed HB401, which bans direct sales of EVs by manufacturers.
[91] Tesla's existing
Brandon location will be "grandfathered in".
Ohio (3 store limit)
In December 2013, days before Tesla was to open its first store in Ohio, a one line amendment to a draft bill was proposed at the urging of the
Ohio Automobile Dealers Association that would have prevented Tesla from selling directly to the public in the state. This amendment was dropped a day later.
[92] A group of auto dealers then sued the state to try to get Tesla's license rescinded. This suit was dismissed less than two months later. Shortly thereafter a legislative bill was introduced that would ban all manufacturers from owning dealerships, not just those with existing franchisees.
[93] A deal reached between Tesla and the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association in March 2014 allowed Tesla to have three stores but blocks all other auto manufacturers.
[94] The Ohio Senate approved the bill in April.
Maryland (4 store limit)
In May 2015,
Maryland approved, through House Bill 235,
[95] direct Tesla sales to customers beginning in October 2015, though limiting the statewide number of stores to only four. The legislation was crafted specifically for Tesla and allows only four manufacturers of electric or non-fossil fuel burning vehicles without existing franchisees to be licensed to sell direct to the public.
[96][97]
Virginia (5 store limit)
In Virginia Tesla has obtained license from the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a single direct sales dealership (
Tysons Corner). Upon learning of Tesla's attempt to obtain a second dealership in the state, the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association filed a lawsuit in March 2016 against both Tesla and the DMV to prevent the licensing of the second dealership.
[98] In September 2016, the
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VDMV) recommended ending Tesla direct sales, as at least 11 dealerships were interested in selling Tesla vehicles.
[99] The VDMV later allowed Tesla to open another shop (
Richmond), as Tesla has no dealerships to compete against;
[100] the 11 interested dealerships would not be able to compete on undiscounted prices, as Tesla has the same price online and in shops.
[101][102] Third-party profits could come from servicing as is traditional, but Tesla already has satisfactory servicing.
[102][103] In July 2021, Tesla won approval from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to open three new stores in Charlottesville, Norfolk and Arlington.
[104]
New Jersey (4 store limit)[edit]
On March 10, 2014, it was announced that
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and Governor
Chris Christie's administration would be holding a meeting to pass a new proposal into law. This new proposal, PRN 2013–138, was announced one day before it was to be put into law. Tesla responded by saying that the proposal "seeks to impose stringent licensing rules that would, among other things, require all new motor vehicles to be sold through middlemen and block Tesla's direct sales model", and that "[Governor Christie's] Administration has decided to go outside the legislative process by expediting a rule proposal that would completely change the law in New Jersey."
[105] The law was passed, and "Tesla will no longer [be able to] sell electric cars in New Jersey, effective April 1". Diarmuid O'Connell, Tesla Vice President of Business Development, said, "Worse, it has done so without any reasonable notice or even a public hearing."
[106] Forbes contributor Mark Rogosky said, "The state's new rules protect its auto dealers from having to compete with Tesla's direct sales model"; he points out that this is a direct contrast from what Christie said earlier, "We are for a free-market society that allows your effort and ingenuity to determine your success, not the cold, hard hand of the government."
[107] Kevin Roberts, a spokesman for the Christie administration, responded by saying "it was the [Tesla Motors] company, not the governor's office, that was attempting to bypass normal procedures.".
[105][108]
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and again others I didn't copy.
electrek.co
