Tesla Expands Showrooms on Tribal Lands to Sidestep State Sales Restrictions

Tesla is expanding its presence on tribal lands to establish showrooms and sell directly to consumers, bypassing state laws that prohibit vehicle manufacturers from acting as retailers. The Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut and the Oneida Indian Nation in upstate New York have announced plans for Tesla showrooms on their sovereign properties. This move allows Tesla to avoid dealership models and sell its electric vehicles directly to customers. While some support the initiative, car dealerships and associations argue that it creates an unfair playing field and undermines state franchise laws. Tesla has faced similar challenges in other states and has sought legal recourse to enable direct sales.