Rivian sues Ohio DMV over ban on direct car sales, Verge reports

Rivian (RIVN) is suing Ohio’s department of motor vehicles, calling the state’s recent ban on car makers bypassing dealerships to sell vehicles directly to consumers “irrational in the extreme,” contending that it harms competition and limits consumer choice, The Verge’s Andrew Hawkins reports. The car maker also noted that Tesla (TSLA) is permitted to sell its vehicles directly to customers in Ohio, which presents an unfair standard for other electric vehicle companies, the author says. “Ohio’s prohibition is pure economic protectionism for the benefit of Ohio’s existing auto dealers, putting their profits ahead of consumers,” Rivian said in the complaint, which was filed in the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.