Tesla wants to plug into the Michigan market.
A hearing is scheduled for today in Grand Rapids Federal Court in a lawsuit filed by the electric car manufacturer Tesla against the state of Michigan.
Tesla is suing the state over a 2014 law that bars manufacturers from selling directly to customers.
Instead of selling directly to customers, they are required to sell their products through franchised dealerships.
Tesla has subpoenaed records of communications that took place just prior to the passage of that 2014 law between the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association, key state lawmakers, and Governor Rick Snyder.
The suit contends that legislation was introduced by the auto dealers association and state Senator Joe Hume.
It contends that Hume is married to a lobbyist whose firm lobbies for auto dealers.
Hume and the auto dealers association have moved to quash the subpoenaes.
The move to quash is the subject of today’s court hearing.