Virginia allows Tesla direct sales

Miuaiga · Apr 24, 2013

If you had wondered, as I had, what was taking so long to open the Tyson's Corner store, this morning's news provided at least part of the answer. Tesla is fighting the ubiquitous dealership monopoly here as well as elsewhere that is trying to thwart the TSLA store model. While successful until now in the VA battle, they have encountered an obstacle with the VA DMV, of all things. They have forbidden Tesla to open a storefront at Tyson's, seeing it as being in violation of state regs on automotive dealerships. Let us hope this is very temporary.

Mycroft · Apr 24, 2013

Yeah, it's too bad. So VA law may need to be modified. Tesla will probably start that process like they did in TX and also start on the Federal level.

If retail stores can sell goods manufactured by them, then Tesla should be able to sell the same.

NigelM · Apr 24, 2013

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-04-23/dmv-denies-tesla-request-to-run-its-own-dealership

Tesla could also just focus on those states that are happy to do business and wait till the other fools realize that they're being left behind.

Zzzz... · Apr 24, 2013

There was a tweet from Elon about this matter yesterday:
Twitter / elonmusk: VA DMV Commissioner Donley ...

bonnie · Apr 24, 2013

Using the logic of 'dealerships protect consumers' (though Fisker owners should take exception to that statement), grocery stores could band together to stop farmers' markets.

Truly mind-boggling, isn't it?

Mycroft · Apr 24, 2013

Yeah, he was just pointing out that the commissioner overruled the hearing officer. This makes sense if the commissioner felt that, even if there was a public interest, they couldn't violate state law.

Miuaiga · Apr 24, 2013

I agree with that. Virginia has a long and scarred history regarding innovation. Just look at our history in banking, air transportation, technology development. North Carolina ate our lunch on each of those fronts. So, it will be here, too, I suppose. The salvation may be in the burgeoning suburbs of DC that are young, enterprising and open, nay, begging for change. As I am often required to say, "Welcome to Virginia!"

carrerascott · Apr 24, 2013

Glad I have mine already. But Virginia offers NO incentives for EVs. Even "progressive" Charlottesville has basically no charger stations. Very disappointing. Not that I need them in Cville, but Virginia in general, with its illegality of radar detectors etc is a PITA. I'm surprised they actually raised the speed limit on some roads (like I-81) to 70+. I would have expected to leave everything at 55...

Lloyd · Apr 24, 2013

bonnie1194 said:
Using the logic of 'dealerships protect consumers' (though Fisker owners should take exception to that statement), grocery stores could band together to stop farmers' markets.

Truly mind-boggling, isn't it?

Actually that is the case in California. Roadside markets in San Luis Obispo are being closed down where farmers used to sell direct. Health department certification, workers compensation documentation, and business licences are required, and most simply close. I have several friends that are no longer able to sell direct.

NigelM · Apr 25, 2013

Elon tweeted:

VA DMV Commissioner Donley overrules own Hearing Officer stating Tesla store in public interest..

With this pic....

Bifff67 · May 4, 2013

So the VA store opened yesterday. They have the usual rules where they cannot talk about price or selling, they can just answer questions about the car. One additional nice thing is that many more Virginians get to see how silly our laws are.

andrewket · May 5, 2013

Virginia joins list of states forbidding Tesla sales

Bifff67 said:
So the VA store opened yesterday. They have the usual rules where they cannot talk about price or selling, they can just answer questions about the car. One additional nice thing is that many more Virginians get to see how silly our laws are.

Virginia is backwards. Northern VA should secede from the rest of the state.

brianman · May 5, 2013

andrewket said:
Virginia is backwards. Northern VA should secede from the rest of the state.

And maybe East VA too. Virginia could have its own 4 corners.

Plug Me In · May 6, 2013

andrewket said:
Virginia is backwards. Northern VA should secede from the rest of the state.

You might want to re-think that. Look what happened to West Virginia:wink:

brianstorms · May 6, 2013

Plug Me In said:
You might want to re-think that. Look what happened to West Virginia:wink:

Then again, of all states, West Virginia may have the best EV-purchase incentive deals of any state in the union, I'm pretty sure. On top of the 7500 from federal, WV offers its own 7500 credit if I read the docs correctly.

arondaniel · May 7, 2013

Bifff67 said:
So the VA store opened yesterday. They have the usual rules where they cannot talk about price or selling, they can just answer questions about the car. One additional nice thing is that many more Virginians get to see how silly our laws are.

OK, time to take a little citizen action here. Writing Mr. Holcomb and Mr. McDonnell to express my disapproval...

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Governor Robert F. McDonnell

-Aron

slr_pwrd · Sep 30, 2013

Virgnia government is not hostile to Tesla anymore. Tesla has been given dealer's license to sell cars directly to their residents. It is a done deal and Tesla is working to meet its basic requirements such as number of parking space required at the site, etc...The license to sell kicks in approxinately couple of weeks. They are looking to sell from Tyson's Corner store and are working with Mall management. The news came from local Tesla representative.

Benz · Sep 30, 2013

slr_pwrd said:
Virgnia government is not hostile to Tesla anymore. Tesla has been given dealer's license to sell cars directly to their residences. It is a done deal and Tesla is working to meet its basic requirements such as number of parking space required at the site, etc...The license to sell kicks in approxinately couple of weeks. They are looking to sell from Tyson's Corner store and are working with Mall management. The news came from local Tesla representative.

Well, that's great news. Thanks for posting. Please keep us informed on this topic. Cheers

evme · Oct 2, 2013

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/10/deal-paves-way-tesla-dealership-virginia

And now we have confirmation from Virginia news papers.

andrewket · Oct 2, 2013

I've been told by source in a position of knowledge that the agreement allows for a store and service center in NoVA. It does not allow expansion into the rest of the state. Sorry, I don't know if the person I spoke with wants to be quoted.

The agreement was reached between VADA, Tesla, and the DMV. So a legislative solution is still needed.

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