Tesla loses bid to overturn Louisiana’s ban on direct car sales

A federal court in Louisiana last Friday dismissed Tesla Inc.’s complaint against a state restriction on direct car sales, according to a ruling. 

Last year, Tesla filed a lawsuit to challenge Louisiana’s refusal to allow the company to sell vehicles directly to consumers, calling the U.S. state’s move protectionist and anticompetitive.

The case is part of Tesla’s strategy of reversing direct sales bans in some states against the electric carmaker, which bypassed traditional car dealerships to sell vehicles to consumers online or at its own stores. 

“(T)he direct sales ban applies equally to all manufacturers, and Tesla has alleged no facts regarding anti-Tesla animus on the part of the Louisiana Legislature,” the ruling said.