The California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) has gone ahead and filed a lawsuit against Honda and Sony, accusing the companies of violating state franchise laws with their joint Afeela project. According to the complaint, filed with the Superior Court of Los Angeles on August 19, the four companies – Sony, American Honda Motor Co., Sony Honda Mobility Inc., and Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc. – are bypassing Honda and Acura dealerships to sell the Afeela electric vehicle directly to consumers. According to the CNCDA, the 50/50 partnership is violating state franchise laws and is seeking immediate injunctive relief to stop reservations, and require that any future sales by the brand go through licensed franchise dealers.
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