From Texas Tribune - "House Committee Gives Tesla Motors a Chance"
"Updated April 23, 6:25 p.m.
The House Business and Industry Committee advanced a bill on Tuesday that would allow Tesla Motors to circumvent the state's franchise dealer system and sell cars directly to Texans, giving a shot in the arm to the company's efforts to operate in the state.
....
House Bill 3351, by state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, was replaced by a committee substitute that offered auto dealers another layer of protection: If Tesla ever sells more than 5,000 cars a year in the state, they will become subject to existing regulation and must start to franchise their operations.
With Tesla projecting sales of only a few hundred cars a year in the state, the bill's supporters, including Diarmuid O’Connell, the vice president of business development for Tesla motors, called this a workable approach."
"Updated April 23, 6:25 p.m.
The House Business and Industry Committee advanced a bill on Tuesday that would allow Tesla Motors to circumvent the state's franchise dealer system and sell cars directly to Texans, giving a shot in the arm to the company's efforts to operate in the state.
....
House Bill 3351, by state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, was replaced by a committee substitute that offered auto dealers another layer of protection: If Tesla ever sells more than 5,000 cars a year in the state, they will become subject to existing regulation and must start to franchise their operations.
With Tesla projecting sales of only a few hundred cars a year in the state, the bill's supporters, including Diarmuid O’Connell, the vice president of business development for Tesla motors, called this a workable approach."