Fifth U.S. State Bans Tesla (TSLA) from Direct Sales

Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA) is active Monday amid another U.S. state moving to ban direct sales of its vehicles.

Mercury News reported last Friday that West Virginia has put the kibosh on Tesla's direct-sales effort. That puts the total states banning direct sales from Tesla at five. Other states include Texas, Michigan, Arizona, and Maryland.

Tesla noted that the president of West Virginia's state senate owns several auto dealerships. Despite a campaign based on pro-business and free market principles, the Senate president's bill prevents competition and protects the car dealer monopoly ... West Virginians deserve the right to choose how and from whom they purchase their vehicles. We will return next year to fight for consumer choice and free market access, said Tesla's Jim Chen.

Tesla is up in early trading.

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