#NAIAS: Tesla Snubs Detroit For Third Year In A Row Citing Ban On Direct Sales

The 2018 Detroit Auto Show, more formally known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), is underway, and while many international and local carmakers are present, one particular name is noticeably absent — Tesla. Just like the past two years, the California-based automaker has opted out of the exhibition, amid ongoing legal battles that prevent Tesla from selling its vehicles directly to consumers within the state of Michigan.

Last year, Tesla explained its absence in the international car event for the second year in a row. According to Tesla vice president of business development Diarmuid O’Connell, participating in an exhibition on a state that does not even allow the direct sales of Tesla vehicles does not make business sense.

mre30 - 1/17/2018 3:35:18 PM

+5 Boost

Probably a good decision on Tesla's part. The model lineup is so old and tired (S is 5 yrs old and X is 2 yrs old and 3 is non-existent) that basically everybody who wants one (or has wanted one) has one already.

There would be few fans at the Tesla stand anyway.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 1/17/2018 4:39:32 PM

-1 Boost

Audi, Porsche and BMW are also not at the show, you would know that if you read the article. It may say more about market conditions in Detroit and Michigan overall than the show in and of itself.

scenicbyway12 - 1/18/2018 11:42:23 AM

0 Boost

Well BMW debuted the production X2 at Detroit, and the i8 Convertible, So BMW was there. Audi debut the new A7 for America and M/B debuted the new G-wagon. So looking at the source of this article, the author is a lazy, misinformed Tesla fanboy.

MrEE - 1/17/2018 6:29:53 PM

+4 Boost

Audi and BMW are shown on the floorplan for the 2018 shown. Porsche looks to be missing.

MDarringer - 1/17/2018 7:02:57 PM

+1 Boost

Screw Tesla. They are about to become irrelevant.

Hauerg - 1/18/2018 7:01:50 AM

-1 Boost

Keep dreaming, dear dumb one.

TomM - 1/18/2018 6:39:48 AM

-2 Boost

Inlike others - I believe that Tesla really does have the current EV market all to itself. The Leaf and the Bolt are Niche products - that are simply not cars I would want to be seen in. Until a manufacturer produces a competitor with actual car styling -and ignores all of these stupid styling tricks - Tesla still has a market. HOWEVER - once another manufacturer DOES produce a worthwhile alternative - TESLA is in trouble.

THe problem is there is NO wiggle room in the Tesla sales model - where other manufacturers are certainly not going to able to do the same with independent dealers who will compete with each other. Add in the lack of sales points - and when you DO have an alternative - the negatives of Tesla do not outweigh the positives.