Monarch Tractor sued over tractors that were ‘unable to operate autonomously’

Monarch Tractor, a California-based startup specializing in electric, autonomous tractors, is facing a lawsuit from Burks Tractor, an Idaho dealership, alleging breach of contract and warranty violations. Burks Tractor claims that the 10 tractors it purchased in early 2024 were unable to operate autonomously as promised. The dealership asserts that Monarch explicitly represented the tractors as fully autonomous without limitations on location or time, supported by demonstration videos. However, upon delivery, the tractors reportedly failed to perform autonomous functions, with Monarch’s sales team later admitting that autonomy was limited and non-functional indoors. Despite attempts to resolve the issues, Burks Tractor alleges ongoing significant problems and lack of adequate support, leading to a demand for Monarch to take back the defective tractors—a request Monarch has refused. This lawsuit, initially filed in Idaho state court and now in federal court, highlights Monarch’s broader struggles. The company has undergone multiple layoffs over the past two years and is shifting its focus from manufacturing to software and technology licensing after repur