Tesla has slapped Michigan legislators and governor Rick Snyder with a federal lawsuit after the state’s decision to ban the automaker’s direct sales model.
Tesla first applied for a dealer license almost a year ago but it was recently rejected as the state requires all new vehicles must be sold through franchised dealerships. The automaker isn’t having any of it.
In the lawsuit, the firm says it “brings this lawsuit to vindicate its rights under the United States Constitution to sell and service its critically-acclaimed, all-electric vehicles at Tesla owned facilities in the State of Michigan,” reports the Detroit Free Press.
It is later asserted that the state’s laws regarding the necessity of franchised dealers actually violates the equal protection clauses and due process rights of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
“Solving this legislatively always has been and continues to be Tesla’s preferred option. For the last two years, Tesla has pursued legislation in Michigan that is fair to everyone and that would benefit Michigan consumers,” the company said.
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