Tesla Was Banned From Kansas City Auto Show, So Rebellious Owners Staged Their Own Display Outside

Tesla owners are an enthusiastic bunch and despite the electric automaker being banned from the Kansas City Auto Show, a group of Tesla owners decided to stage their own display directly outside the event.

If you’re wondering why the electric automaker was not permitted to display its vehicles at the event,. it’s because the state’s car dealer association opposes direct sales model, Electrek reports.

Here’s the car dealer association said in a statement:

“A sales and service agreement with an automaker is the criteria to join the association. Tesla’s business model doesn’t include franchised dealership, thus they do not belong to the association.”

That wasn’t going to stop the Tesla Owners Club of Kansas City, however, as they took matters in their own hands:

“The Tesla Owners Club of Kansas City is holding a two-day event alongside the Kansas City Auto Show on March 7 and 8, 2020. Several Tesla cars will be on display and owners will be present to answer questions about life with a Tesla,” they announced.

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As a result, on March 7 and 8, numerous Tesla owners gathered outside the event to display their cars to anyone interested in check them out. What’s more, owners were on hand to answer any questions people had about what it’s like living with a Tesla. More than 130 test rides were also offered to prospective buyers.

Writing on its website, the Tesla Owners Club of Kansas City said:

“Not only did we provide over 130 rides in Teslas to interested individuals, but we spoke to hundreds more and some of them went on to visit the Tesla store and purchase a new Tesla! “

The local Tesla store had planned on bringing along a handful of vehicles to the impromptu owner’s club display but wasn’t permitted to do so as laws in Missouri mean dealerships cannot participate in events further than 10 miles (16 km) from their place of business. Sadly, the auto show was 11.3 miles (18 km) from the Tesla store.

Images shared on social media show that owners brought along examples of the Model 3, Model S, and Model X.