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, 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 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/...3CPa3DJswzH.99

Any Repug politician going to propose to liberalize car sales in TX? 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 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 by the Tribune's Jim Malewitz.

Gov. Rick Perry kickstarted a simmering debate 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 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/...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. The ban was explained at the time by Governor Chris Christie 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.

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/2014/06/0...e+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. The ban was explained at the time by Governor Chris Christie 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.

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/2014/06/0...e+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.

Lawsuit aside though, that doesn’t change the fact that the language of the law prohibits manufacturers from selling vehicles in compe ion 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; Tesla isn’t breaking any laws, as the law is written.

http://gas2.org/2015/01/29/car-deale...p-tesla-sales/

“non-level playing field” 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 ed...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#/b...ace=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#/b...ace=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 ed...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.

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

[DarrinS]

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

[boutons_deux]

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, 'em to ).

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, 'em to ).

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

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]

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?

all that

[cantthinkofanything]

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.