Officials in Michigan have rejected Tesla Motors Inc.’s request to open a company-owned dealership, a move that indicates the home state for Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. will stick to its ban on selling new cars directly to consumers.

The Michigan Secretary of State’s office this week ruled against the Silicon Valley electric-car maker’s selling vehicles in the state without using franchised dealers.

Gisgie Dávila Gendreau, a spokeswoman for the office, confirmed the state’s decision Thursday in an e-mail.

Tesla has been seeking an application for a new auto dealership license in Michigan, one of several states to continue banning direct sales of automobiles by manufacturers.

“The license was denied because state law explicitly requires a dealer to have a bona fide contract with an auto manufacturer to sell its vehicles,” Ms. Dávila Gendreau said.