Missouri Auto Dealers Association, an industry group that sued to block the issuance of dealer licenses to electric car maker Tesla in Missouri lost its legal battle on appeal Tuesday.

According to Engadget, the appellate court ruled Tuesday that MADA, a Jefferson City-based trade group that represents new-car and new-truck dealers, lacked standing to sue, reversed the trial court’s judgment and dismissed the petition. Tesla has faced opposition in other states for its direct-to-customer business model.



Tesla stated:

"We have been serving customers in Missouri for almost five years and have contributed to the state economy and jobs for Missourians."

The problems all started when lawmakers bowed to the automaker lobby and slipped a clause into a bill that essentially banned its direct sales model.

At the time, Tesla said:

"To be clear: this is worse than a mere case of dealers trying to protect an existing monopoly –- this is a case of dealers trying to create a monopoly."

We're happy to see Tesla be able to compete fairly. It's not often a car company comes along and shakes everything up, and all the lawmakers in Missouri should hang their heads in shame. We hope this case becomes the benchmark for the next set of politicians who dare try to stop fair competition.