Tesla has established its first showroom in Connecticut, breaking through a nearly decade-long struggle against state regulations by opening its new showroom and Service Center at the Mohegan Sun Casino located on tribal land. By doing so Tesla is able to bypass Connecticut’s restrictive laws on direct car sales.
Connecticut’s legislation, which prohibits automakers from directly selling vehicles to consumers, had been a formidable barrier for Tesla. The company had attempted legislative changes, but faced strong opposition from state car dealerships. Despite these setbacks, the automaker has now found a workaround by establishing its presence on tribal land.
This strategic move not only allows Tesla to overcome legislative hurdles but also brings convenience to Connecticut customers. They no longer need to travel out of state to buy a Tesla; instead, they can visit the Mohegan Sun showroom, where they can also test drive different models on the resort property. The convenience extends to the vehicle pickup process, with buyers able to retrieve their new electric vehicles at the Sky Tower valet.
This isn’t the first time Tesla has leveraged tribal land for its showrooms, having twice established similar setups in New Mexico. The Connecticut showroom is open seven days a week, with hours extending from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
