VIENNA, Va. — It’s getting easier to buy Tesla’s high-end electric car.
This week, the company made a breakthrough by getting approval to sell directly to buyers in New Jersey — just days after Tesla opened its first dealership in Vienna, Virginia.
The Palo Alto, California-based company markets its vehicles directly to consumers instead of through franchises.
“Under Virginia law, manufacturers are prohibited from actually applying for and receiving a dealer license,” says James Chen, vice president of regulatory affairs for Tesla.
But the company was able to open under an exception. However, Chen says, Tesla’s efforts to sell directly to consumers are bogged down in Maryland. The company was able to set up in the gallery of Montgomery Mall but couldn’t discuss price with shoppers.
Some states have completely banned Tesla’s efforts.
Tesla insists that traditional franchise dealerships would not work for them.
“The whole reason we believe we have to do this ourselves is because it’s more about educating our consumers,” Chen says of the new dealership.
The new dealership is located at 8500 Tyco Road in Vienna.
WTOP’s John Aaron contributed to this report.
