Tesla can now sell cars direct in Maryland

Tesla can now sell cars direct in MarylandBill Goes Into Effect Oct. 1 With A Four-Dealership Maximum For TeslaImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew Phillips2015 Model SMSRP$69,900ShopReviewsMore PhotosLarte's Tesla Model S aftermarket kitTesla Model S Software Update 6.2Unplugged Performance Tesla Model S: SEMA 2014Saleen FourSixteen Model S: Monterey 2014Saleen Tesla Model SNewport Convertible Enterprises Tesla Model S ConvertibleDanny King

Maryland's governor has signed a bill to allow Tesla Motors to skip third-party dealerships and sell directly to customers. Governor Larry Hogan signed House Bill 235 into law this week, which will allow California-based Tesla to open up as many as four dealerships in Maryland starting Oct. 1, the International Business Times says.

Oddly, unlike other states where Tesla has fought for rights to sell direct to customers, House Bill 235 was supported by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association, in part because there's a catch. An automaker like Tesla is allowed to open only four dealerships, and they have to only sell EVs. States like Georgia have recently agreed to allow Tesla direct-to-customer vehicle sales, while states such as West Virginia and Texas remain steadfast against it.

Another party against direct-to-customer vehicle sales is General Motors, which lobbied against Maryland's HB 235. That automaker has maintained that all automakers should operate under the same rules and just because Tesla sells electric vehicles, it shouldn't be given any extra allowances when it comes to distribution channels. HB 235 was approved by the state's legislature in April.Featured Gallery2015 Tesla Model S P85D: Detroit 2015

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