Tesla Finance Plan Spurs Probe Request by Dealer Group
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Tesla Motors Inc.’s promotion of a lease-style finance program for Model S electric sedans spurred the California New Car Dealers Association to seek a state investigation of what it says are deceptive advertising claims.
Tesla told customers they “can take advantage of multiple incentives, gas savings, and tax savings resulting in low monthly vehicle payments, when it is unlikely that customers will actually realize such savings,” the dealer group said in an e-mail. The association made its request for an investigation of “unsubstantiated and illegal savings claims” with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.