Rivian has filed a lawsuit in Ohio to be able to sell its electric vehicles directly to consumers in the state-the latest swing in a constant battle between US car industry and the established and powerful delegation.
The company sued Ohio’s motor vehicle secretary (BMV) Monday in the federal court, arguing that the state is harming consumers by preventing immediate sales. Rivian is currently able to sell EVS directly to consumers in 25 states and Washington, DC
Ohio’s BMV did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
“Ohio’s ban on the business model only for Rivian’s direct purchase is irrational at the end: it reduces competition, reduces consumer selection and leads to consumer costs and discomfort-which harm consumers-with literally no compensation for the company,” the lawyers write.
Rivian calls on the court to allow the company to apply for a delegation permit so that it can sell vehicles immediately. Ohio customers must buy from Rivian vehicles from locations to other states where immediate sales are allowed. The cars are then sent to Rivian Service Centers in Ohio.
By allowing the sale of Rivian directly, no new legal reason will go through, the company argues in its complaint. Tesla was allowed to sell in Ohio since 2013 and can sell directly to consumers.
What Rivian stops is a 2014 law passed by the State Legislative Corps. This law, which Rivian says, came after an intense attempt at pressure from the Ohio Car (Oada) Association, gave Tesla effectively an exhaust and prevented future manufacturers from acquiring the necessary authorizations. (Oada did not immediately return a request for comments.)
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“Consumers’ choice is a principle of America’s economy, the archaic ban by Ohio against direct vehicle sales is unconstitutional, irrational and harm Ohio by reducing competition and choosing and promoting costs and suffering,” said Mike Callahan.
Rivian has won legal battles for immediate sales before. In 2021, Rivian and Lucid Motors received a delegation for the sale of EVS in Illinois. This State’s Representative Association has sued to try to block Rivian and Lucid from selling immediately but eventually failed.
Clear engines, meanwhile, filed his own lawsuit to Texas in 2022 In a challenge to prohibit the immediate sale of this state. The court ruled against Lucid earlier this year, but the company has appealed, according to the federal court records.
