After the Palo Alto-based manufacturer played chicken and won against New York dealership associations in June, Tesla is now allowed to sell the Model S in the 6th most populous state in the U.S.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave its blessing to the American EV manufacturer to open five stores in the state. But the way this happened is a story worth going through. A bill has been passed to Governor Tom Corbett last month, exempting electric vehicles from a state law that forbids companies building these cars to open their own dealerships.
Although Republicans Mark Gillen and Daryl Metcalfe voted against the bill, accusing that it gives Tesla special treatment, the document was signed into law and the jealous dealer associations from Pennsylvania couldn't do anything to stop that. As if that wasn't enough, the legislation doesn't even mention Tesla Motors, but it was tailored for the EV-only automaker.
Nathan Spade, the senior aide to the bill's sponsor Senator John Rafferty, has told Philly that the bill is "a means to provide the consumer with another option" and "a positive addition to the marketplace in Pennsylvania." Unfortunately for potential customers of the Tesla Model S and upcoming Model X, a handful of states are still far away from giving the green light to direct sales.
In New Jersey, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and Maryland, Tesla Motors can inform potential customers about its products, but company employees are prohibited to talk about pricing or sell the Model S sedan.
Although Republicans Mark Gillen and Daryl Metcalfe voted against the bill, accusing that it gives Tesla special treatment, the document was signed into law and the jealous dealer associations from Pennsylvania couldn't do anything to stop that. As if that wasn't enough, the legislation doesn't even mention Tesla Motors, but it was tailored for the EV-only automaker.
Nathan Spade, the senior aide to the bill's sponsor Senator John Rafferty, has told Philly that the bill is "a means to provide the consumer with another option" and "a positive addition to the marketplace in Pennsylvania." Unfortunately for potential customers of the Tesla Model S and upcoming Model X, a handful of states are still far away from giving the green light to direct sales.
In New Jersey, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and Maryland, Tesla Motors can inform potential customers about its products, but company employees are prohibited to talk about pricing or sell the Model S sedan.