After a lengthy battle between Tesla Motors and the dealers’ association from the great state of Texas, it would appear that the Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the all-electric Model S sedan will not be getting its way, so sales directly to customers, a move which would have bypassed the established dealer network won’t become a reality.
Tesla can currently legally sell cars at 37 locations in the US, in states including California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Massachusetts.
Texas and its two sales points in Austin and Houston can now be taken off the map, which one can access on the official Tesla site. According to Reuters, “a pair of bills that would have allowed electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc to sell vehicles directly to consumers in Texas failed to make it to a vote in the state legislature before its regular session ended on Monday.” Virginia is another state where Tesla will have to do it their way.
Neither Musk nor any of the staff have made any statements regarding the news, but since Texas is an important market for them, they will undoubtedly try to turn this around in their favor. However, they will have to wait until January of 2015, because that’s when the Texas lawmakers’ regular general session resumes its work.
By Andrei Nedelea
Photo Credits: Tesla Motors
PHOTO GALLERY
