Tesla Sues Michigan Officials Over Ban On Direct Sales

Tesla Motors Inc Thursday sued Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and other state officials in federal court over the state’s refusal to allow the Palo Alto, California automaker to sell vehicles directly to consumers. The suit at U.S. District Court in Michigan comes days after the state rejected the electric vehicle manufacturer’s application to directly sell vehicles to consumers. Unlike other automakers, Tesla does not sell vehicles through franchised dealers. Tesla’s suit says it is seeking on an expedited basis an order that it is "entitled to a vehicle dealer license." A spokesman for Snyder said the governor had no comment.