Tesla: GM wrote a bill in Indiana to stop us from selling cars in the state

If Indiana's bill passes, Tesla's store may become a showroom.

Tesla recently sent a letter to “Tesla Owners and Enthusiasts” living in the Indiana area asking for their help to defeat a piece of legislation introduced by state lawmakers that would prevent auto manufacturers from selling cars directly to their customers. Tesla has almost exclusively sold vehicles to customers through direct vehicle sales, and it says if the bill is signed into law it would revoke Tesla’s permission to sell vehicles from its existing storefront in Indianapolis.

The bill seeks to prohibit manufacturers from holding a dealer license after December 31, 2017. Tesla currently holds such a license, although it does not contract with a third-party dealer.

In its letter to its customers, Tesla urged them to contact their representatives and the senators on the Commerce and Technology Committee, which will hold a hearing on the bill on Thursday, February 25, to express their displeasure at the new bill. "Despite having a lawfully granted license to sell Tesla vehicles directly since 2014 at the Fashion Mall at Keystone; despite contributing over $42 million to the state through the purchase of parts and components from Indiana suppliers; and despite plans underway to construct a 26,000 square foot Tesla Service facility that will employ approximately a dozen Indiana residents and serve our customers, GM is pushing the Senate Committee to shut out Tesla,” Tesla wrote.

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