Tesla is being sued by customers who say the automaker unlawfully monopolizes replacement parts and repair services.
Two class action lawsuits (via traffic theme) was filed Tuesday and Wednesday in San Francisco on behalf of two California residents who own a Model S EV. The plaintiffs allege that Tesla violated antitrust laws by restricting competition by forcing owners to use company-approved service centers and source spare parts from Tesla.
2023 Tesla Model S – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
Modern cars are generally harder to operate for independent repair shops due to the need to access vehicle data and proprietary software, but Tesla also has more control over the mechanical as well as technical aspects. number of auto repair.
Tesla sells cars directly to customers without going through a franchisee, which means the company also operates its own network of service centers. Tesla is also known to keep tight control on parts supplies, forcing independent stores to keep older cars on the road. no factory support.
Other startup automakers, including Lucid and Rivian, have also avoided franchised dealerships, but they have far fewer vehicles on the road right now than Tesla.
2023 Tesla Model Y – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
These policies have left Tesla owners “subject to lengthy delays in the repair and maintenance of their electric vehicles, paying only below-competitive prices for those parts, and having them repaired after they are approved. final offer,” the filing states.
The lawsuits come as the right to repair law attracts more interest from legislators.
Massachusetts took the lead, passing a right to repair law in 2012 and expanding it in 2020 to include vehicle data. President Biden pointed out support repair policy right awayAnd a federal bill introduced in the House of Representatives in 2022.
