Overview

• Rivian filed its complaint on August 4 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
• The lawsuit targets a 2014 law that grants Tesla exclusive direct-sales rights by barring other manufacturers from obtaining dealership licenses.
• Rivian says the ban forces Ohio buyers to purchase vehicles out of state and ship them to local service centers, driving up costs and inconvenience.
• In its filing the company describes the prohibition as “pure economic protectionism” that prioritizes dealer profits over consumer interests.
• Ohio regulators and dealer associations are expected to submit formal responses as the case proceeds through federal court.