The fraud of "free market" Repug Texas and its "free market" anti-regulation fans

[boutons_deux]

Rigmarole Required To Buy Tesla Model S In Texas

Because of very strong dealership franchise laws and a buttload of lobbying money (http://gas2.org/2013/09/11/politics-and-money-kept-tesla-out-of-texas/), Tesla store representatives are prevented from giving you any kind of pertinent of useful information related to pricing. That means potential buyers are in the dark regarding costs, tax credits, financing, and leasing options. Tesla sales people can’t even offer test drives, and many customers leave the two Texas-area stores frustrated due to lack of info.

The most Tesla store reps can do in Texas is refer you to the website. If you actually want to buy a Tesla Model S, you have to do so through a California dealership. Tesla will then ship you your car on an unmarked transport with no new-car orientation or anything. They drop off the car and you’re on your own.

It’s the same case with Tesla-owned service centers, which cannot advertise that they offer Tesla service, or even display the Tesla Motors logo. They can’t even tell customers if there is a problem with their car; all that info has to be re-routed through Tesla’s California headquarters. Texas Tesla Model S are ineligible for Tesla’s buyback program, and because the sales are handled as out-of-state transactions, some customers are paying a higher interest rate, if they can get financed at all.

Even so, Tesla has managed to sell over 1,000 Model S sedans in Texas, though those numbers would no doubt be much higher if it were easier to buy the electric car. This has Musk considering a campaign on Washington (http://gas2.org/2013/09/19/tesla-take-dealership-fight-d-c/) to dismantle dealership franchise laws nationwide. It won’t be an easy fight, but it could have far-reaching consequences for more than just Tesla.

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/10/29/rigmarole-required-buy-tesla-model-s-texas/#qKIll3CPa3DJswzH.99

Any Repug politician going to propose to liberalize car sales in TX? fuck no

[boutons_deux]

Tesla Execs Hold Secret Meeting in San Antonio


Executives with the electric carmaker Tesla Motors met on Wednesday with government officials in San Antonio, according to the San Antonio Express-News, a development sure to spur further talk about Texas' odds of landing the company's $5 billion battery plant.

The Express-News' Josh Baugh and Greg Jefferson quoted an unnamed source (http://www.expressnews.com/news/politics/article/Tesla-execs-secretly-visit-S-A-5352333.php#/0) who said that after the secret meeting, “It appears San Antonio is back in the game for the project.” The meeting comes a day after San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro took to social media to push changes in state law to make it easier for Tesla to sell its cars in Texas.

Tesla cannot sell its cars directly to consumers in this state because of existing laws protecting auto dealerships, as reported (http://www.texastribune.org/2014/03/18/regs-could-harm-texas-bid-tesla-battery-plant/) by the Tribune's Jim Malewitz.

Gov. Rick Perry kickstarted a simmering debate (http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03/gov-perry-its-time-for-state-to-revisit-antiquated-rules-that-prohibit-tesla-sales-in-texas.html/) early this week when he suggested in an interview with the Fox Business channel those laws "are antiquated protections" that should be revisited.

A Perry spokeswoman clarified later in the week (http://www.mystatesman.com/news/business/as-texas-woos-tesla-perry-has-no-plans-for-special/nfLPr/) that Perry did not intend to call a special session to address the dealership protections.

Baugh and Jefferson wrote that it was "unclear" whether a lack of action on the dealership question would hurt the Alamo City's bid for the battery factory. They noted that lawmakers in Arizona, another state competing for the plant, are looking at ways to allow Tesla to sell cars directly to customers.

http://www.texastribune.org/2014/03/27/brief/?utm_source=texastribune.org&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Tribune%20Feed:%20None

I wonder if SA's cheap electricity is the attraction, as it was for Microsoft's datacenter?

[boutons_deux]

Tesla wins big battle in New Jersey, as Bill A3216 passes committee vote

Tesla Motors has made new — and significant — headway in its war with the car dealership associations in the state of New Jersey with the recent passing of Bill A3216.

With the approval of the bill — which passed New Jersey’s Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee with a unanimous 4-0 vote, but still has to make it through more bureaucracy before it’s law — Tesla will be able to begin selling direct to customers once again.

To put it in (perhaps?) clearer terms, bill A3216 “permits certain zero emission vehicle manufacturers to directly sell motor vehicles to consumers and requires them to operate service facilities.”

A welcome change from the direction taken by the state in recent months — as we reported previously, the state legislature voted in March to shut down Tesla’s ability to sell direct to customers (http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/15/elon-musk-writes-letter-people-new-jersey/). The ban was explained at the time by Governor Chris Christie (http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/11/tesla-wakes-rude-surprise-chris-christie-administration-opposite-said/) as simply being the enforcement of a law already on the books.

If A3216 becomes law it will supersede said previous law, but still only allow Tesla to operate “four places of business in the state,” as well as requiring the company to offer a service center.

In related news — if you’re having a hard time keeping track of where exactly Tesla can set up shop, and where it can’t, I recommend checking out Tesla Wars — Where Can Tesla Sell Direct To Customers? New Infographic Has You Covered (http://evobsession.com/tesla-sales-allowed-states-map/).

While it’s hard to say what exactly the future holds, it does appear that Tesla is beginning to gain ground in its battle with the dealers. Certainly a good thing, imo.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/08/tesla-wins-big-battle-in-new-jersey-as-bill-a3216-passes-committee-vote/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRawStory+%28The+Raw+Story% 29

[boutons_deux]

Tesla wins big battle in New Jersey, as Bill A3216 passes committee vote


Tesla Motors has made new — and significant — headway in its war with the car dealership associations in the state of New Jersey with the recent passing of Bill A3216.
With the approval of the bill — which passed New Jersey’s Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee with a unanimous 4-0 vote, but still has to make it through more bureaucracy before it’s law — Tesla will be able to begin selling direct to customers once again.

To put it in (perhaps?) clearer terms, bill A3216 “permits certain zero emission vehicle manufacturers to directly sell motor vehicles to consumers and requires them to operate service facilities.”

A welcome change from the direction taken by the state in recent months — as we reported previously, the state legislature voted in March to shut down Tesla’s ability to sell direct to customers (http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/15/elon-musk-writes-letter-people-new-jersey/). The ban was explained at the time by Governor Chris Christie (http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/11/tesla-wakes-rude-surprise-chris-christie-administration-opposite-said/) as simply being the enforcement of a law already on the books.

If A3216 becomes law it will supersede said previous law, but still only allow Tesla to operate “four places of business in the state,” as well as requiring the company to offer a service center.

In related news — if you’re having a hard time keeping track of where exactly Tesla can set up shop, and where it can’t, I recommend checking out Tesla Wars — Where Can Tesla Sell Direct To Customers? New Infographic Has You Covered (http://evobsession.com/tesla-sales-allowed-states-map/).

While it’s hard to say what exactly the future holds, it does appear that Tesla is beginning to gain ground in its battle with the dealers. Certainly a good thing, imo.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/08/tesla-wins-big-battle-in-new-jersey-as-bill-a3216-passes-committee-vote/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRawStory+%28The+Raw+Story% 29

[boutons_deux]

another irredeemably red state practicing its "free market" dogma

Car Dealers Sue Missouri To Stop Tesla Sales

A lawsuit filed by MADA against the state of Missouri seeks to halt Tesla sales, saying the direct sales model creates a “non-level playing field”, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/auto-dealers-sue-missouri-over-tesla-car-sales/article_c267e1c7-8ba9-55a2-835d-18ac9db7e8b9.html).

Lawsuit aside though, that doesn’t change the fact that the language of the law prohibits manufacturers from selling vehicles in competition with existing franchise dealerships. But since Tesla has no established franchises dealerships, Missouri’s then-acting Department of Revenue chief explained that Tesla was operating within the law as it was written. That’s why MADA tried to get the law changed.

But when that didn’t pan out as hoped, it was only left with the litigation option, though the outcome isn’t likely to change.

Despite being on the absolute opposite end of the political spectrum from Massachusetts, Missouri is likely to come to the same conclusion as the Commonwealth (http://gas2.org/2014/09/16/tesla-conclusively-wins-massachusetts-sales-fight/); Tesla isn’t breaking any laws, as the law is written.

http://gas2.org/2015/01/29/car-dealers-sue-missouri-stop-tesla-sales/

“non-level playing field” :lol How DARE Tesla compete LEGALLY with the anti-free-market MADA cartel!

[CosmicCowboy]

I am not advocating it but there is some logic to the law. If you sell a car you should provide a place to get it serviced as well. San Antonio doesn't even have ONE Tesla service center.

[cantthinkofanything]

I am not advocating it but there is some logic to the law. If you sell a car you should provide a place to get it serviced as well. San Antonio doesn't even have ONE Tesla service center.

I don't know. Isn't that mostly on the buyer? I didn't read the article as it was from boutons so maybe I'm missing something. But if someone is going to step out and purchase something like that, they ought to understand the ramifications.

[CosmicCowboy]

I don't know. Isn't that mostly on the buyer? I didn't read the article as it was from boutons so maybe I'm missing something. But if someone is going to step out and purchase something like that, they ought to understand the ramifications.

Sometimes the buyer should be protected by requiring basic parts/service availability. it's kind of like the Chinese 4 wheelers that showed up a few years ago...they were cheaper than the name brands but when something broke you were totally fucked...you couldn't get replacement parts for them. That is something buyers normally assume to be a basic part of selling a vehicle. Not saying that is the case with Tesla but the laws aren't Tesla specific.

[ElNono]

I am not advocating it but there is some logic to the law. If you sell a car you should provide a place to get it serviced as well. San Antonio doesn't even have ONE Tesla service center.

FWIW, they have one in Dallas, Houston and Austin, and they're currently building one in San Antonio.

http://www.teslamotors.com/findus#/bounds/43.6015272,-79.51897009999999,43.5810689,-79.54854189999998,d?search=service&place=sanantonio

[CosmicCowboy]

FWIW, they have one in Dallas, Houston and Austin, and they're currently building one in San Antonio.

http://www.teslamotors.com/findus#/bounds/43.6015272,-79.51897009999999,43.5810689,-79.54854189999998,d?search=service&place=sanantonio

I've got nothing against Tesla's. They are fine ass cars.

I also understand that the laws have as much to do with protecting car dealers as they do with protecting consumers.

Just pointing out there is some method to the apparent madness of the laws.

[cantthinkofanything]

Sometimes the buyer should be protected by requiring basic parts/service availability. it's kind of like the Chinese 4 wheelers that showed up a few years ago...they were cheaper than the name brands but when something broke you were totally fucked...you couldn't get replacement parts for them. That is something buyers normally assume to be a basic part of selling a vehicle. Not saying that is the case with Tesla but the laws aren't Tesla specific.

I agree with that but local is relative to a point I guess. Different (as you said) than dumping Chinese 4 wheelers on the market with no intent of ever having available parts.

[boutons_deux]

One of the huge industrial transformations will be when EVs or FCVs become dominant, causing a huge loss in revenue from maintaining comparatively hyper-complicated internal combustion vehicles. I hear that some 100+ year old electric vehicles still run. So the internal combustion vehicle guys are basically LYING when then say, eg, Tesla must have a complete network of expensive garages.

[DarrinS]

One of the huge industrial transformations will be when EVs or FCVs become dominant, causing a huge loss in revenue from maintaining comparatively hyper-complicated internal combustion vehicles. I hear that some 100+ year old electric vehicles still run. So the internal combustion vehicle guys are basically LYING when then say, eg, Tesla must have a complete network of expensive garages.


:lmao


By the way, I love the Tesla idea, just not willing to plop down 55-75K on a vehicle.

[DarrinS]

Shit, I don't even pay 20K for a vehicle.

[boutons_deux]

:lmao


By the way, I love the Tesla idea, just not willing to plop down 55-75K on a vehicle.

not many can, but the prices are coming down, and the battery efficiency will keep going up, the charging networks will become standardized and widespread, even battery swap out stations. It will take a few years, but internal combustion vehicles for people moving are dead man walking.

I wonder anybody has done the calc of replacing a big rig's mammonth engine + fuel tank with equivalent in batteries.

eg, the 2016 Volt is looking much improved, but no price, yet.

[cantthinkofanything]

I wonder anybody has done the calc of replacing a big rig's mammonth engine + fuel tank with equivalent in batteries.

eg, the 2016 Volt is looking much improved, but no price, yet.

I actually was working on this yesterday. It came out to about $240 per vehicle.

[boutons_deux]

I actually was working on this yesterday. It came out to about $240 per vehicle.

and if a big rig goes alu frame, body panels and other lightening tactics, like the new F-150, even better

[cantthinkofanything]

and if a big rig goes alu frame and other lightening tactics, like the new F-150, even better

exactly. I'm looking forward to when they will also be able to convert the kinetic energy of the driver to usable power for the car. I realize that it couldn't run the whole car but it could be enough to run the electornics while the car sits idle at stops. Which would save on the main battery life.

[boutons_deux]

exactly. I'm looking forward to when they will also be able to convert the kinetic energy of the driver to usable power for the car. I realize that it couldn't run the whole car but it could be enough to run the electornics while the car sits idle at stops. Which would save on the main battery life.

aluminum's biggest cost, bauxite is comparatively "free", is the electricity for smelting. (there's also the cost of Goldman Sacks trying to corner the market for aluminum distribution, fuck 'em to hell).

Smelting with cheaper solar and wind electricity "should' bring the cost of aluminum down, but probably not.

[cantthinkofanything]

aluminum's biggest cost, bauxite is comparatively "free", is the electricity for smelting. (there's also the cost of Goldman Sacks trying to corner the market for aluminum distribution, fuck 'em to hell).

Smelting with cheaper solar and wind electricity "should' bring the cost of aluminum down, but probably not.

fuck all that.

I have an automatic watch that I don't have to wind...yep...powered by my kinetic energy.
and Big Pharma and VRWRC is telling me that I can't use the same energy to power my Iphone or car? Or parts of my house?
Just so they can continue to sell me $20 adapters, batteries, cords...
tell me that I can power 200 pounds of twisted steel but not a few ounces of phone?

[boutons_deux]

fuck all that.
I have an automatic watch that I don't have to wind...yep...powered by my kinetic energy.
and Big Pharma and VRWRC is telling me that I can't use the same energy to power my Iphone or car? Or parts of my house?
Just so they can continue to sell me $20 adapters, batteries, cords...
tell me that I can power 200 pounds of twisted steel but not a few ounces of phone?

fuck all that

[cantthinkofanything]

fuck all that

exactly. Can you imagine if we could attached chargeable kinetic batteries to all of the football players, basketball players, fish, birds???? We'd have a virtually unlimited renewable power source.
but there is no way that Big Tires will let that ever happen. Not yet anyway. But the death knell has been rung.

[boutons_deux]

exactly. Can you imagine if we could attached chargeable kinetic batteries to all of the football players, basketball players, fish, birds???? We'd have a virtually unlimited renewable power source.
but there is no way that Big Tires will let that ever happen. Not yet anyway. But the death knell has been rung.

although hybrids seems to have peaked, imagine thermocouples converting most/some of the 70% of combustion engine energy lost to heat and converting it to electricity to charge the hybrid's batteries.

[cantthinkofanything]

although hybrids seems to have peaked, imagine thermocouples converting most/some of the 70% of combustion engine energy lost to heat and converting it to electricity to charge the hybrid's batteries.

better yet...what about tapping in to geothermal energy to run the cars? I'm thinking of roads built like the old slot car tracks except the slots go down about 10,000m. The cars would have prongs that fit into these slots and would be able to convert the geothermal energy to run the vehicles.

[CosmicCowboy]

Lets just put a generator on your right wrist while you jack off. :lol

[boutons_deux]

blind squirrel news

Kansas City Prepping Huge Electric Car Charging Network
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2475935,00.asp?mailingID=D27A34DE38DE14D234 ACA0FBAFD39AB0?mailing_id=1156220

I'm sure Kansas-owning Kock Bros are not pleased. Where are ALEX and State Policy Network hatchet men?

[cantthinkofanything]

Lets just put a generator on your right wrist while you jack off. :lol

or your mom's head

[CosmicCowboy]

or your mom's head

eeeeeeeeuuuuuu

She is 86.


go for it.

[cantthinkofanything]

eeeeeeeeuuuuuu

She is 86.


go for it.

well...she gives head like shes 65

[cantthinkofanything]

oh yeah...please let her know I have her dentures at home

[boutons_deux]

Tesla Faces One More Hurdle In New Jersey After Senate Passes Bill Allowing Direct-To-Consumer Sales

A little more than a year after the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission unanimously voted to block the sale of Tesla (http://consumerist.com/2014/03/12/new-jersey-votes-to-block-direct-sales-of-tesla-vehicles/) vehicles directly to consumers, the state’s Legislature passed a bill allowing the car company to bypass auto dealerships and continue its unique model of car sales.

The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports (http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/christie_to_decide_on_allowing_tesla_to_restart_sa .html#incart_river)that the final decision on whether or not Tesla – and other car zero-emission car manufacturers – can sell vehicles directly to consumers rests on the shoulders of Governor Chris Christie, whose administration stopped Tesla from selling the electric cars in the first place.

Under legislation passed on a 30-2 vote yesterday, Tesla would be able to restart sales at its two New Jersey showrooms, and open two additional stores in the state.

Christie has 45 days to sign the bill. A spokesperson for the Governor’s office tells the Star-Ledger that the bill “will be reviewed.”

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/17/tesla-faces-one-more-hurdle-in-new-jersey-after-senate-passes-bill-allowing-direct-to-consumer-sales/

Wall St FatBoy is a BIG FAT obstacle.

My guess is that he vetoes the bill to protect the franchise dealers who overwhelmingly give to Repug politicians

[TeyshaBlue]

www.theverge.com/2015/3/18/8251821/tesla-new-jersey-direct-sales-dealerships-christie

In major reversal, New Jersey allows Tesla to sell its cars directly, without dealerships
Governor Christie signed the bill into law this afternoon.

lol at bouton's guesses.

[boutons_deux]

www.theverge.com/2015/3/18/8251821/tesla-new-jersey-direct-sales-dealerships-christie (http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/18/8251821/tesla-new-jersey-direct-sales-dealerships-christie)

In major reversal, New Jersey allows Tesla to sell its cars directly, without dealerships
Governor Christie signed the bill into law this afternoon.

lol at bouton's guesses.

the NJ autodealer's will be very upset with Christie

[TeyshaBlue]

Big whoop.

[boutons_deux]

thanks, TB :lol, your schadenfreude is adorable, GFY

[TeyshaBlue]

Go climb a wall of dicks, moron.

[Winehole23]

boutons loses again. his prodigious losing streak on SpursTalk is still intact.

[Winehole23]

one would think, saying the same thing day in and day out, he would occasionally be right, just like a stopped watch is right twice a day, but even this level of monotony he cannot match: he's wrong almost all the time.

[boutons_deux]

he's wrong almost all the time.

:lol

[boutons_deux]

An Open Letter to Tesla, From Your Friendly Local Car Dealers

Dear Tesla,

I write to you from the law offices of Dwayne & Johnson on behalf of my client, the Totally Useful Retail Dealer Society. As the nation’s largest association of car dealers, my client objects to your omission of such dealers from your business plan. I hereby order you to cease and desist! Or just cease. Or desist. We can discuss the options. See, that’s a situation known as “negotiating.” Something you wouldn’t know much about, Tesla.

Allow me to explain the myriad ways in which your dealer-free sales approach is misguided. First of all, our research shows that 85 percent of car shoppers love going to the dealer, while 15 percent super-duper love it. [Note: Respondents to our survey  were all under the age of  8, and the words “car dealer”  were replaced with the words “Disney World,” a fact that was clearly explained in the fine print of Appendix 8c.]

I’m telling you, people love negotiating. Consumers hate having a clear, fixed price that everyone understands. The dealer-franchise model lets them feel as if they got a deal, while not really getting a deal. Everyone wins. And haggling over prices is deeply ingrained in American culture. I mean, Moroccan culture.


http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/51/ezradyer-tesla-letter-inline1-photo-656320-s-original.jpg

Now, you may enjoy selling your cars with no middleman and just keeping all the money. But I ask, have you considered letting us have some of that money? It is our position that we would like some of the money. In return, we will have buildings with desks inside and some garage bays where we’ll do oil changes while customers watch

The Price Is Right. What, you don’t need oil changes? Well, we’ll think of something along those lines. Maybe it’s like, electron refurbishment every three months. I just made that up, but it sounds right.



I’m telling you, Tesla, your customers need us. What happens when they’re driving their new Model S (http://www.caranddriver.com/tesla/model-s)and a taillight goes out? Okay, yes, you’ll email them one to print on their home 3-D manufacturing apparatus. Tesla owners are pretty techy. What if that happened to a Lexus ES350 (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-lexus-es350-first-drive-review) owner, though? Our research shows that Lexus owners visit the dealer an average of twice a month, for reasons including “bugs on the windshield” and “my grandson put the Skrillex disc in the radio and now I can’t get it out.”

Speaking of  Lexus, they’re on our side, just like every other car company. GM loves us, that’s for sure. GM stands shoulder to shoulder with dealers, united in opposition to Tesla’s franchise-flaunting ways. They issued a statement saying: “If we have to have dealers, then Tesla better damn well have some dealers.

Sure, we’d love to just sell you a Cadillac direct on the internet, but our dealers won’t let us. Isn’t that crazy? We do the research and development and design and manufacturing, and we have factories and production lines and test tracks. And then some guys with bad coffee and overpriced wiper blades dictate how we can sell our products. It makes us so mad that sometimes we get passive-aggressive and punk them with something like the Cadillac ELR (http://www.caranddriver.com/cadillac/elr). You’re so good at selling, let’s see you try to sell that!”



http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/51/ezradyer-tesla-letter-inline2-photo-656321-s-original.jpg




Tesla Model X



Okay, so our relationship with GM is complicated. It has been ever since they launched Saturn, an entire brand based on the notion that the dealers wouldn’t savage you. It’s hard to believe now, but people would actually  walk into a dealership and buy a Saturn Ion just so they  wouldn’t have to meet a Plymouth salesman. That humbling realization prompted us to create a robust ethics certification process, the Dealers United Professional Education Seminars. Salespeople certified under this course are courteous, professional, and required by law to disclose how many felonies they’ve committed. It’s progress.

We know you see yourself as a disruptor, Tesla, but I don’t think you understand how many people you’re disrupting. Car dealerships are financial ecosystems in their own right, spurring economic *activity in a range of related sectors. The inflatable-dancing-guy industry depends on car dealers, as does the low-budget family-TV-commercial business. Think about how you’re missing out on that one. Scene: An older guy in a showroom says, “Come on down to the Teslathon and you’re gonna beshocked at our prices!” Then a younger woman standing next to him rolls her eyes and says, “Daaaad.” You know, like she’s embarrassed, but really they all love each other.

In conclusion, Tesla, I’d hate myself if I let you leave here without the peace of mind of an extended warranty, so I’m going to talk to the sales manager and see if we can’t do that for just an extra $53 per month over your 95-month loan.

Man, I really think we’re gonna be friends even after you sign this paperwork, Tesla. We definitely have to hang out. I just need to go finalize your undercoating insurance with my manager, so if you want, you can just go get comfortable in our lounge. I think it’s almost time for the Showcase Showdown.

http://www.caranddriver.com/columns/an-open-letter-to-tesla-from-your-friendly-local-car-dealers-column

[boutons_deux]

FTC bitch-slapping a red-state, anti-free-market, screw-citizens, Kockistan dystopia

FTC Smacks Down Michigan For Trying To Ban Tesla Sales: Didn't We Already Warn You About This?

A little over a year ago, we noted how nice (if somewhat surprising) it was to see the FTC take a stand for Tesla and its direct sales (https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140424/17364927023/ftc-goes-to-bat-tesla-says-states-shouldnt-limit-tesla-sales-model.shtml) model. Just as states -- generally under pressure from auto dealers who hate competing with Tesla -- were starting to explore laws to ban Tesla from those states, the FTC noted that it felt many of these plans were designed to hold back competition and innovation and it was prepared to step in. A year ago, it said things like this:

Removing these regulatory impediments may be essential to allow consumers access to new ways of shopping that have become available in many other industries.

Shots fired. In response to this (and public outcry), New Jersey and some other states appeared to back down. But not Michigan, home to the big US automakers, who aren't at all happy with this new upstart competitor from California. Last fall, Michigan passed a law that made it even more difficult for direct sales like Tesla. The FTC didn't do anything specifically about that (yet), but there's a new bill under discussion in Michigan that would carve out an exception to the new ban on direct sales of vehicles, but just for a new category called "autocycles," such as those from Elio Motors (http://www.eliomotors.com/). The FTC used this opportunity to question why there's a ban on direct sales of vehicles in the first place (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/competition-matters/2015/05/direct-consumer-auto-sales-its-not-just-about-tesla).


In a letter (https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/advocacy_documents/ftc-staff-comment-regarding-michigan-senate-bill-268-which-would-create-limited-exception-current/150511michiganautocycle.pdf) commenting on the Michigan proposal, FTC staff supports the movement to allow for direct sales to consumers—not only Tesla or Elio, but for any company that decides to use that business model to distribute its products. Blanket prohibitions on direct manufacturer sales to consumers are an anomaly within the larger economy. Most manufacturers and suppliers in other industries make decisions about how to design their distribution systems based on their own business considerations, responding to consumer demand. Many manufacturers choose some combination of direct sales and sales through independent retailers.

Typically, no government intervention is needed to augment or alter these competitive dynamics—the market polices inefficient, unresponsive, or otherwise inadequate distribution practices on its own. If the government does intervene, it should adopt restrictions that are clearly linked to specific policy objectives that the legislature believes warrant deviation from the beneficial pressures of competition, and should be no broader than necessary to achieve those objectives.

Opening the door by a crack is a step in the right direction, and we urge policymakers in Michigan to take this small step. But beyond company-specific fixes lies a much larger issue: who should decide how consumers shop for products they want to buy? Protecting dealers from abuses by manufacturers does not justify a blanket prohibition like that in the current Michigan law, which extends to all vehicle manufacturers, even those like Tesla and Elio who have no interest in entering into a franchise agreement with any dealer.


The full letter is below -- and it does a nice point-by-point debunking of the laughable arguments by those who insist bans on direct sales to consumers are necessary. Here's just a snippet:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150513/23463530994/ftc-smacks-down-michigan-trying-to-ban-tesla-sales-didnt-we-already-warn-you-about-this.shtml

[RandomGuy]

Rigmarole Required To Buy Tesla Model S In Texas

Because of very strong dealership franchise laws and a buttload of lobbying money (http://gas2.org/2013/09/11/politics-and-money-kept-tesla-out-of-texas/), Tesla store representatives are prevented from giving you any kind of pertinent of useful information related to pricing. That means potential buyers are in the dark regarding costs, tax credits, financing, and leasing options. Tesla sales people can’t even offer test drives, and many customers leave the two Texas-area stores frustrated due to lack of info.

The most Tesla store reps can do in Texas is refer you to the website. If you actually want to buy a Tesla Model S, you have to do so through a California dealership. Tesla will then ship you your car on an unmarked transport with no new-car orientation or anything. They drop off the car and you’re on your own.

It’s the same case with Tesla-owned service centers, which cannot advertise that they offer Tesla service, or even display the Tesla Motors logo. They can’t even tell customers if there is a problem with their car; all that info has to be re-routed through Tesla’s California headquarters. Texas Tesla Model S are ineligible for Tesla’s buyback program, and because the sales are handled as out-of-state transactions, some customers are paying a higher interest rate, if they can get financed at all.

Even so, Tesla has managed to sell over 1,000 Model S sedans in Texas, though those numbers would no doubt be much higher if it were easier to buy the electric car. This has Musk considering a campaign on Washington (http://gas2.org/2013/09/19/tesla-take-dealership-fight-d-c/) to dismantle dealership franchise laws nationwide. It won’t be an easy fight, but it could have far-reaching consequences for more than just Tesla.

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/10/29/rigmarole-required-buy-tesla-model-s-texas/#qKIll3CPa3DJswzH.99

Any Repug politician going to propose to liberalize car sales in TX? fuck no




Yet another way in which the GOP says one thing, and does another.

This has more to do with special interests buying state government than a political party tho'. The GOP just happens to be in power, and the Dems did plenty of it when they had the reins, I'm sure.

[Spurminator]

http://fortune.com/2015/05/18/tesla-texas/

The electric car company hits a roadblock in Texas

Another bit of bad news for Tesla: Texas will not be allowing the auto manufacturer to sell direct to consumers after legislation failed to pass the state legislature despite support from both parties.

The deadline passed for the bill late last week, AutoBlog (http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/18/tesla-direct-sales-bill-texas-house-killed/)reports. It would have allowed Tesla stores in Texas to actually help customers get into an electric car. Currently, the law doesn’t allow pricing displays or test drives, a rule designed to protect franchise dealers. Unlike most car manufacturers, Tesla sells its cars directly to consumers rather than through dealerships.

Democratic state Rep. Senfronia Thompson criticized the company by saying that “it would have been wiser if Mr. Tesla had sat down with the car dealers first.” But there is no “Mr. Tesla” involved in the company, which is named after the late inventor Nikola Tesla and is founded and run by Elon Musk.

https://imgflip.com/s/meme/Captain-Picard-Facepalm.jpg

[boutons_deux]

Tesla Sales Still Unwelcome In Texas, Hypocritical Governor Says

Abbott told Bloomberg Radio (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/texas-isnt-open-teslas-direct-193717191.html) yesterday that he still wants to stick with Tesla being outlawed and customer wishes being ignored… in other words.

In his words (via Electrek (http://electrek.co/2015/07/15/texas-governor-greg-abbott-advocates-for-statu-quo-on-the-states-ban-of-teslas-direct-sale-method/)): “Texas has a very robust, very open, :lol very effective automobile sector that seems like it’s working quite well the way that it is. If you’re going to have a breakdown in a car, you need to have a car dealership there to make sure that the vehicle is going to be taken care of. We haven’t seen that from Tesla.”

And as Fred Lambert of Electrek very aptly notes:

It’s not clear whether the Governor is referencing particular events or if he literally “hasn’t seen” anything from Tesla.

Tesla operates 4 service centers in Texas, they have a roadside assistance service and they operate a fleet of “Tesla Rangers”- technicians on the road providing assistance and making minor repairs. Earlier this year, Consumer Reports gave Tesla’s service the top ranking (http://venturebeat.com/2015/02/04/consumer-reports-rates-tesla-service-tops-among-carmakers/) among the industry.

The service scores were compiled through a survey of subscribers who had repairs made on more than 121,000 vehicles, and Tesla came out on top.

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/07/16/tesla-sales-still-unwelcome-in-texas-hypocritical-governor-says/

As documented in my "Repug history" thread, Repugs have NOTHING BUT LIES.

[boutons_deux]

Another red state worshipping the "free market"

Tesla Will Butt Heads With Michigan Buttheads Again

Tesla has been blocked from selling its cars directly to Michigan residents for several years.

Last year, the Michigan legislature passed a new law (http://gas2.org/2014/10/22/michigan-gov-signs-anti-tesla-law-opens-door-change/)making it crystal clear that Tesla was not welcome in The Great Lake State.

Governor Rick Snyder, a man who knows which side his bread is buttered on, signed the bill about 10 seconds after it was enacted.

Thanks to a very powerful franchise dealer association, Michigan has drawn a bright red line around itself proclaiming “No Tesla Allowed.”

One suspects the Big Three automakers, all of whom have their corporate offices in Michigan, may have had something to do with this as well.

http://gas2.org/2015/12/05/tesla-will-butt-heads-with-michigan-buttheads-again/

[DMX7]

Tesla Sales Still Unwelcome In Texas, Hypocritical Governor Says

Abbott told Bloomberg Radio (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/texas-isnt-open-teslas-direct-193717191.html) yesterday that he still wants to stick with Tesla being outlawed and customer wishes being ignored… in other words.

In his words (via Electrek (http://electrek.co/2015/07/15/texas-governor-greg-abbott-advocates-for-statu-quo-on-the-states-ban-of-teslas-direct-sale-method/)): “Texas has a very robust, very open, :lol very effective automobile sector that seems like it’s working quite well the way that it is. If you’re going to have a breakdown in a car, you need to have a car dealership there to make sure that the vehicle is going to be taken care of. We haven’t seen that from Tesla.”

And as Fred Lambert of Electrek very aptly notes:

It’s not clear whether the Governor is referencing particular events or if he literally “hasn’t seen” anything from Tesla.

Tesla operates 4 service centers in Texas, they have a roadside assistance service and they operate a fleet of “Tesla Rangers”- technicians on the road providing assistance and making minor repairs. Earlier this year, Consumer Reports gave Tesla’s service the top ranking (http://venturebeat.com/2015/02/04/consumer-reports-rates-tesla-service-tops-among-carmakers/) among the industry.

The service scores were compiled through a survey of subscribers who had repairs made on more than 121,000 vehicles, and Tesla came out on top.

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/07/16/tesla-sales-still-unwelcome-in-texas-hypocritical-governor-says/

As documented in my "Repug history" thread, Repugs have NOTHING BUT LIES.




Dealers are typically the biggest rip off when if comes to having the car you bought from them serviced unless it's something that's covered under warranty.

[boutons_deux]

Dealers are typically the biggest rip off when if comes to having the car you bought from them serviced unless it's something that's covered under warranty.

They now resist selling EVs because they are so reliable. The dealers' after-sale service is where most of their margin is.

Just one big EV battery breakthrough will disrupt the auto distributors, upend their entire business model, to say nothing of drop in gasoline purchases.

[rmt]

Another red state worshipping the "free market"

Tesla Will Butt Heads With Michigan Buttheads Again

Tesla has been blocked from selling its cars directly to Michigan residents for several years.

Last year, the Michigan legislature passed a new law (http://gas2.org/2014/10/22/michigan-gov-signs-anti-tesla-law-opens-door-change/)making it crystal clear that Tesla was not welcome in The Great Lake State.

Governor Rick Snyder, a man who knows which side his bread is buttered on, signed the bill about 10 seconds after it was enacted.

Thanks to a very powerful franchise dealer association, Michigan has drawn a bright red line around itself proclaiming “No Tesla Allowed.”

One suspects the Big Three automakers, all of whom have their corporate offices in Michigan, may have had something to do with this as well.

http://gas2.org/2015/12/05/tesla-will-butt-heads-with-michigan-buttheads-again/




Do you think Michigan residents should be prevented from buying whatever they want? Those who don't get with the program and innovate will fall behind - see Uber and the taxi cabs. This interference by government is what gets to me - who in the hell do they think they are telling me what I can or cannot buy? That's one of the reasons why Obamacare just sticks in my gut - them telling me what I HAVE to buy. The county commissioners voted in Broward county to halt Uber - the residents protested and they were forced to re-instate Uber.

[rmt]

They now resist selling EVs because they are so reliable. The dealers' after-sale service is where most of their margin is.

Just one big EV battery breakthrough will disrupt the auto distributors, upend their entire business model, to say nothing of drop in gasoline purchases.

What is EV?

[boutons_deux]

That's one of the reasons why Obamacare just sticks in my gut - them telling me what I HAVE to buy.

Totally different. Taxpayers will cover your medical disasters at public-financed facilities, allowing you to ripoff taxpayers, dumping your medical bills on them.

[boutons_deux]

What is EV?

http://www.acronymfinder.com/EV.html

[rmt]

So is it the electric vehicle or the bypassing of dealerships that you object to?

[rmt]

I got a Toyota Prius rental car recently. Thing freaked me out - there I was in Target parking lot - turned on the car and kept drifting backward. I could not get the car to start up. I had to call the rental car company - turns out the door was not fully closed (no light on) and so the car wouldn't work with the door not properly closed. Then at the gas station, I spent 5 minutes looking for the flippy thing to open the gas tank when it's one of those screw off tops. I'm just a dinosaur when it comes to this new technology - didn't like that I couldn't tell if the car was on (so quiet) when I stopped at a traffic light - LOL.

[boutons_deux]

GM chooses wisely, Indiana is as a nasty red state as any

Tesla Says GM Pushing Indiana Bill To Kill Direct-To-Consumer Telsa Sales


https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160224/07480833698/tesla-says-gm-pushing-indiana-bill-to-kill-direct-to-consumer-telsa-sales.shtml

"free market" and capitalism are best solutions to everything, two YOOGE LIES.

[boutons_deux]

Tesla Recruiting Sales Staff In Texas(!), Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee…

Just a recruiter on our Tesla North American Sales Team, looking for people who not only believe in Tesla in all aspects of our business, but also excel in customer service and sales! We have multiple opportunities across the country in all levels of the business, and would love to connect with anyone looking for a long term sales career!

I am particularly recruiting for Florida, Texas, Atlanta, the Carolina’s, and Tennessee. BUT, if you are interested and not located in those particular state, would still love to connect with you! Send your resume to SalesCareers (at) tesla (dot) com [creative way to give our email, but I don’t want to appear as a spam!]

http://cleantechnica.com/2016/06/06/tesla-recruiting-sales-staff-texas-carolinas-florida-georgia-tennessee/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29

[boutons_deux]

Virginia Auto Dealer Association Wants Investigation Into Tesla, Claims EV Company Is Acting Illegally

a new complaint from the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association that alleges that Tesla has committed illegal acts at its authorized dealership in Tyson’s Corners, as well as at its nearby shopping mall gallery/store.

The complaint, filed with the state’s Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, alleges that Tesla “has done such heinous things as offering customers test drives, fudging official reports on state mandated fees, and engaging in illegal advertising. It stops just short of charging Tesla with mopery on the high seas,” Steve Hanley (http://gas2.org/author/stephenhanley/) summarized.

The CEO of Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, Don Hall, wrote: “VADA believes it has a duty to bring these repeated violations to the attention of the MVDB so that the MVDB may protect its credibility in the face of such reckless law-breaking.”

Steve, on sister site Gas2 (http://gas2.org/2016/06/02/virginia-dealers-assault-tesla-motors/), provides more:

In an email to Automotive News, he added that the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, the state agency charged with oversight of the auto dealer industry, has “100% authority to stop Tesla, thus our letter.”

Tesla has applied for a second dealership license in Virginia. The VADA vehemently opposes that request. In fact, it has sued the company and the state Department of Motor Vehicles to block the application. In its letter, it asks for an investigation into all of Tesla’s activities within the Commonwealth. The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association is calling on state regulators to investigate and sanction Tesla Motors for alleged violations at its existing locations in the state.

Company spokesperson Khobi Brooklyn told Automotive News in an e-mail,

“The franchised dealer lobby in Virginia is taking every possible step, whether through lawsuits, PR campaigns or outright harassment, to try to prevent Virginians from being able to buy cars from Tesla.

Each of these actions is legally wrongful and threatens to move Virginia backwards. Virginians who would like to be able to buy a car from Tesla should have the right to do so. Tesla will continue to fight for that.”

Considering that shopping for a car at an auto dealership is practically a universally maligned experience, you’d think that maybe the dealers would be working to improve on that count rather than (seemingly) spend all of their time and money fighting Tesla.

http://cleantechnica.com/2016/06/05/virginia-auto-dealer-association-wants-investigation-tesla-claims-ev-company-acting-illegally/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29

Does VADA contribute heavily to Repug as does TxADA? Free market? :lol

[boutons_deux]

Michigan Treasury Has No Problem With State Owning $72 Million In Tesla Stock (http://jalopnik.com/michigan-treasury-doesnt-have-a-problem-with-state-owni-1785179476)

The State of Michigan now holds $72 million of Tesla stock for state retirement funds.

That would be the same State of Michigan that still bans Tesla from selling vehicles using a direct sales model without dealerships.

http://jalopnik.com/michigan-treasury-doesnt-have-a-problem-with-state-owni-1785179476?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

[CosmicCowboy]

Michigan Treasury Has No Problem With State Owning $72 Million In Tesla Stock (http://jalopnik.com/michigan-treasury-doesnt-have-a-problem-with-state-owni-1785179476)

The State of Michigan now holds $72 million of Tesla stock for state retirement funds.

That would be the same State of Michigan that still bans Tesla from selling vehicles using a direct sales model without dealerships.

http://jalopnik.com/michigan-treasury-doesnt-have-a-problem-with-state-owni-1785179476?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29




That's a terrible stock to own unless the board gets rid of Elon Musk. He consistently self deals to his own benefit (Solar City purchase) and consistently over promises and under delivers.

[boutons_deux]

Repugs support every "Free Market" that their BigDonors pay for

New Indiana House Bill Would Impede Tesla’s Direct Sales Model

Following unsuccessful attempts last year to limit Tesla’s ability to sell directly to customers in the state, pro-dealership forces in Indiana have already begun this year’s anti-Tesla efforts. …

The newly proposed House Bill 1592 (authored by Representative Edmond Soliday) would effectively stop Tesla from selling within the state by 2019

The exact provisions of the proposed bill are:

the prevention of legal direct sales in the state

after “(1) reaching 1,000 units in cumulative annual sales; or

(2) 6 years after the initial dealer’s license is granted.”

So, the proposed bill features somewhat more leeway to it than many anti-Tesla (or anti direct sales) measures, but would still effectively work against auto manufacturers to the benefit of the entrenched auto dealerships.

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/02/01/new-indiana-house-bill-impede-teslas-direct-sales-model/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29