Let’s all strap on whatever it takes to win.”The reason that Hall was sounding the alarm: Tesla, which sells its cars directly to consumers rather than through franchise dealers, is trying to open a second store in Virginia. [Electric-car maker Tesla seeks a second store in Virginia]In Virginia, as in most states, it is generally illegal for manufacturers to sell cars directly to consumers, partly to prevent carmakers from undercutting their franchisees. Holcomb was not persuaded by those arguments in 2013, when he rejected the company’s original plan to open a Northern Virginia store. No dealers expressed interest when Tesla sought its first Virginia store. Jackson H. Miller (R-Manassas), though hugely impressed with the cars, was skeptical that they could not be sold through franchise dealers.

Source: Washington Post November 27, 2016 18:46 UTC