Tesla Still Fighting For Right To Sell Cars In America

This is a situation Tesla has been fighting since its inception. Despite being the world's most valuable automaker, not every US state legally allows Tesla to directly sell its lineup, like the popular Model 3 and Model Y. Instead, these state governments are demanding for Tesla to abide by the dealer franchise model whereby automakers do not directly own their dealerships.

Proponents claim this business model protects jobs and forces dealers to compete for your business. Opponents argue people are now purchasing cars online and direct sales help lower those costs. In short, the car buying process is undergoing rapid change. And now, another two US states are trying to pass bills that'll ban direct new vehicle sales.

Mississippi and Oklahoma want to preserve the status quo and Tesla is now asking fans for help to defeat these measures via its new Tesla Engage social media platform. Tesla currently only has a single store in Mississippi and it very much wants to keep it running. For now, the Magnolia State's bill is stuck in the state's Senate Finance Committee. Oklahoma is a different matter. The new House Bill is still alive and would force the carmaker to shutter its stores in that state if passed.

"This bill could force Tesla to close its existing locations in Oklahoma AND prevent Tesla from shipping cars to anyone in the state, which would force locals to travel out-of-state to service their cars or pick up their new Tesla vehicles," Tesla states in the posting. "Oklahoma should focus on increasing revenue and jobs in the state, not stifling competition and limiting consumer choice."