An Ohio senator has introduced a bill that would permit Lordstown Motors to sell its vehicles directly to consumers in the state.
The legislation states that a manufacturer would be permitted to own, operate and control “one or more licensed motor vehicle dealerships if, as of [Jan.] 1, 2021, the manufacturer is a manufacturer of all-electric motor vehicles with corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities in this state.” Republican Ohio senator Michael Rulli, who sponsors the bill, confirmed in a recent news conference that it has been designed “just for Lordstown Motors.”
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The Ohio Automobile Dealers Association has opposed the bill. In a statement, the group’s president Zach Doran said that other car manufacturers are developing electric vehicles too but will sell them through local dealerships.
“Lordstown Motors, after deciding to build in Ohio and receiving state tax credits to do so, now seeks an exemption to the law governing the sale of new vehicles,” Doran said. “Lordstown Motors is a welcome development in Ohio’s rich history of automotive research, innovation and production. Like other manufacturers, the new company will enjoy great success operating within the scope of Ohio’s current law.”
A spokesman from The Alliance for Automotive Innovation confirmed to Auto News that it, too, opposes the bill.
Lordstown will build its all-electric Endurance pickup truck at the Lordstown Assembly plant formerly operated by General Motors. The company claims to have more than 100,000 orders for the truck and will begin production in September. Lordstown is pursuing a direct-sales model because of the lower maintenance costs of EVs and its focus on commercial fleet buyers.
