This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Utah lawmaker is again proposing a way to let Tesla Motors sell its electric cars at a sleek Salt Lake City showroom, but the company says the plan puts unfair restrictions on their business and they're taking the fight to court instead.
A Tesla representative said Monday the proposal bars them from keeping any inventory in the state and they can't do business that way. Regulatory affairs vice president Jim Chen says Tesla is instead suing the state for refusing to give them a license.
The bill from West Jordan Republican Rep. Kim Coleman comes after established Utah car dealers pushed back against letting carmakers sell directly to customers.
Tesla can't sell at its $3 million showroom because Utah law bars carmakers from owning dealerships.