Car dealers’ battle with Tesla continues
Hoffman Auto Group sues a second time to block electric vehicle service center in East Hartford
An East Hartford car dealership has sued Tesla Inc. and the town to overturn planners’ decision authorizing a service center for the electric vehicle.
The lawsuit, the second in a four months, was filed Tuesday in Hartford Superior Court by Hoffman Auto Group. The dealership accuses Tesla of submitting two applications.
Neither application makes it clear who is seeking permission for the East Hartford site, while both applications “obscure the applicant’s actual intent” of using the facility to sell new and used cars in violation of state law and town zoning restrictions, Hoffman said.
The lawsuits mirror car dealerships’ ferocious opposition to Tesla, which follows a business model that sells directly to the public, bypassing dealers.
Hoffman Auto Group says Tesla claims to be opening a service facility although site plan drawings call for the delivery and indoor storage of new and pre-owned automobiles.
The Hoffman Auto Group says East Hartford relied on “false, deceptive and inaccurate information” provided by Tesla. It demands that the approval be rescinded.
“It’s quite the battle,” said East Hartford Town Council Chairman Rich Kehoe.
The town planning and zoning commission added a caveat in approving Tesla’s application that if information is false, incomplete or inaccurate, town approval will be modified or revoked, he said.
Tesla’s media office did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.
Town officials last week approved the Tesla service center after revoking a previously approved permit that also included a showroom for the electric vehicles. The approved permit allows Tesla to redevelop a car dealership building at 300 Connecticut Boulevard for repairs and service, vehicle storage and offices.
Tesla operates one other service center in Connecticut, in Milford.
The East Hartford planning and zoning commission approved a Tesla service center and showroom in April, but Hoffman Auto Group sued the automaker, the town and a development company. Hoffman contended the showroom violated Connecticut law prohibiting car manufacturers from sidestepping dealerships by selling directly to consumers.
The General Assembly has repeatedly rejected legislation that would allow Tesla to open a dealership in the state. Car dealers have fiercely lobbied against allowing the electric car manufacturer to operate in Connecticut, forcing buyers to travel to New York City’s suburbs or Massachusetts where the sale of Tesla is legal.
East Hartford’s planning and zoning commission approved a Tesla service center and showroom in April, but Hoffman Auto Group said in a lawsuit the showroom violated Connecticut law prohibiting car manufacturers from sidestepping dealerships by selling directly to consumers.