DALLAS -

Recent battles in the courtroom regarding Tesla’s direct sales model doesn’t seem to have slowed the automaker’s development efforts much, if recent news is any indicator.

Tesla revealed Tuesday it has entered into an exclusive agreement with AT&T to enable current and future Tesla vehicles in North America with high speed wireless connectivity.

The automaker has become synonymous with innovative technology. And through the new agreement, AT&T connectivity will power Tesla's remote engine diagnostics, telematics and infotainment features such as Internet radio, Web browsing, live traffic, weather and navigation, all accessed through a 17-inch touchscreen, the company said.

"It's an honor to work with a company as innovative as Tesla on delivering a connected experience inside automobiles for both drivers and passengers," said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer, AT&T Mobility. 

Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla, also commented on the news, saying, "Tesla's goal has always been to catalyze the market for electric vehicles for all consumers while providing an exceptional driving experience. AT&T's advanced and reliable wireless connectivity will help Tesla continue to deliver a cutting-edge ownership experience."

Outside of its technological core, however, there have been hurdles the automaker has had to jump, some of which are still posing a threat.

The company has seen backlash from automotive dealer groups all across the country, including North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Ohio, as traditional dealers are up in arms about the company’s direct sales model.

The company is also dealing with investor lawsuits about alleged misleading statements regarding the safety of its Model S.

Hurdles aside, the automaker is continuing to expand.

In fact, on top of the new tech agreement, Tesla was in the news late last week, as well, as the automaker installed four of its Supercharger units in sparsely populated Lusk, Wyo. The expansion is part of the company’s plan for a coast-to-coast route of quick-charge stations for Tesla vehicles.
 

Sarah Rubenoff can be reached at srubenoff@autoremarketing.com. Continue the conversation with Auto Remarketing on both LinkedIn and Twitter.