San Francisco/Detroit: Tesla Motors Inc. is cranking up the pressure to sell electric cars directly to customers, filing its first federal lawsuit over the practice on the home turf of General Motors and Ford. Tesla sued the state of Michigan to overturn its ban on direct sales by auto manufacturers. “Unfortunately, the local auto dealers and local manufacturers have made clear that they oppose any law that would allow Tesla to operate in Michigan. According to the lawsuit, “In the words of one legislator who attended the meeting: The Michigan dealers do not want you here. So you’re not going to be here.’’The lawsuit is Tesla Motors Inc. V. Johnson, 16-cv-01158, US District Court, Western District of Michigan (Grand Rapids).

Source: Mint September 23, 2016 09:56 UTC