East Hartford Tesla showroom on hold until August hartfordbusiness.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hartfordbusiness.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Connecticut’s ban on the direct sale of automobiles to consumers will stand, at least for another year.
Lawmakers ultimately opted not to take up SB 127, the so-called “Tesla bill” which would have allowed Connecticut residents to buy electric vehicles directly from a manufacturer without going through a franchised dealer in the closing days of the 2021 legislative session.
Car dealership sues Tesla and East Hartford to block town approval of service center, saying it violates state law against direct sales Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant
Hoffman Auto Group has sued Tesla, East Hartford and a development company that received town approval to open a Tesla service center and showroom.
Hoffman, under the business name Jetobra Inc., has asked a Hartford Superior Court judge to set aside the town’s decision allowing the service center and showroom. Hoffman says the showroom violates Connecticut law prohibiting car manufacturers from sidestepping dealerships by selling directly to consumers.
It’s the latest battle in a lengthy dispute between Connecticut’s car dealerships and Tesla, which is lobbying for state legislation allowing it to sell its electric cars directly to buyers.