Electric Car Maker Drives Toward Own Minn. Stores

After a win at Minnesota's Capitol, an electric car manufacturer is closer to the license it needs to open retail stores over the objection of traditional auto dealers.

 

 

 

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - After a win at Minnesota's Capitol, an electric car manufacturer is closer to the license it needs to open retail stores over the objection of traditional auto dealers.

California-based Tesla Motors has gotten word that state officials would begin processing the company's application for a car dealer license. Tesla hopes to open a store this summer in Edina and a second at the Mall of America next year in which the manufacturer would sell cars directly to customers.

The set-up has drawn the ire of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association, which fears the sales model will allow Tesla and other manufacturers to undercut rivals.

The auto dealers group tried unsuccessfully to update a 1970s-era law to block Tesla and now threatens to sue.

(Photo courtesy Tesla Motors) 

 

AP

   

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