Tesla has initiated legal action against the Swedish Transport Agency and the postal service provider PostNord, following a dispute over the distribution of license plates, as per court documents. Things are now heating up as Tesla wants vehicles delivered.
The conflict stems from a strike by workers at PostNord, a state-owned entity, which began on November 20, leading to a halt in the delivery of license plates for Tesla’s new vehicles in Sweden.
The issue escalated when the Swedish Transport Agency declined Tesla’s proposal to personally collect the license plates and refused to use alternative distribution methods. Tesla’s response involved filing two separate lawsuits against PostNord and the transport agency, initially reported by Dagens Industri, a Swedish business newspaper, according to Reuters.
The root of the dispute traces back to a disagreement with IF Metall, Sweden’s largest manufacturing union. The union, seeking a collective bargaining agreement for Tesla’s mechanics in Sweden, initiated a strike on October 27. This action has garnered support from various other unions, including dockworkers and electricians, who have joined in solidarity.
Tesla has deemed the transport agency’s actions as a unique attack on its operations in Sweden. The company emphasized the impact on consumers awaiting new Tesla vehicles, highlighting its significant sales of over 9,000 electric vehicles in Sweden in 2022.
The Swedish Transport Agency confirmed to Reuters the receipt of Tesla’s lawsuit, indicating a divergence in viewpoints regarding the agency’s obligations. An agency spokesperson stated that Tesla is entitled to seek legal resolution, though the agency has yet to review the lawsuit for a detailed response.
PostNord, maintaining neutrality in the Tesla-unions conflict, awaits a detailed examination of the lawsuit for further comment. Meanwhile, Seko, the union representing PostNord workers, suggested that Tesla could resolve the issue by agreeing to a collective bargaining agreement with IF Metall.
Update Nov. 27, 2023: In a recent development reported by Aftonbladet, the Norrköping District Court has ruled in favor of Tesla, granting the company the right to collect its license plates directly from the manufacturer, Scandinavian Motorcenter. This decision comes amid Tesla’s ongoing legal dispute with the Swedish Transport Agency.
The court’s ruling stipulates that if the Swedish Transport Agency does not comply within seven days, it will be subject to a fine of one million kronor (about $95,675 USD). Johannes Ericson, the attorney representing Tesla, confirmed the court’s decision to Aftonbladet, stating, “It is true that a decision has been made where they support Tesla’s claim.”
The lawsuit, initiated by Tesla through its Swedish law firm Setterwalls, challenges the Swedish Transport Agency’s prohibition on the direct release of license plates to Tesla by Scandinavian Motorcenter. In a significant win for Tesla, the Norrköping District Court has now mandated the agency to consent to Tesla’s collection of the plates.
When asked about the specifics of the ruling, Ericson clarified, “They support the interim claim. They say that the Swedish Transport Agency should give consent for Tesla to pick up the license plates from the license plate manufacturer.” The court has set a seven-day deadline for compliance, under the threat of a significant fine.
Ericson declined to comment further on the court’s decision, suggesting that Tesla would be the appropriate party to provide any further statements regarding the matter. The resolution of this case marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal tussle between Tesla and Swedish authorities.
