Now that all the announcement fun is over with (for the time being...lol) it's time for EVERYONE (Tesla *AND* "we the people") to get serious about solving this dealership/franchise problem.
Obviously Tesla is under full attack from auto dealer lobbyists pushing these ridiculous laws at a state by state level. The auto dealer unions etc have a monopoly and are actively taking action to prevent Tesla from selling their cars to us. These laws themselves are so ridiculous, perhaps they may even be violations of our constitutional rights.
The states that I know about "in trouble" are New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Massachusetts. (feel free to correct me or clarify any of the following statements if they are not accurate) In Texas I think you can only buy online and Tesla can't talk about pricing in stores. In Virginia I think is the same now as Texas? I know they had trouble opening the Tyson's store. On top of that, North Carolina pushed laws to even make it illegal to buy a Tesla via the internet (though I think you can still cross state lines and purchase it out of state and still register it in NC.) That itself might violate the Interstate Commerce clause and I'm guess should be an easy win by a lawsuit. I think it's illegal to make a law to regulate your purchases in a different state. And now in NY, on top of all of those, they want to make it illegal to even register a Tesla and make it retroactive to 2006 which is make all Roadsters as well illegal to drive in NY.
So far, the approaches to solve this so far that I know about are:
IMO, Tesla fighting back state by state in a scattered approach is just not an effective one. Auto dealerships and their monopolies unfortunately have a lot of money and power and influence. While they will win here and there, there is a lot of time, energy, and money spent to fight these. And it doesn't guarantee a universal solution across the country.
White house petitions (started by "us")
I think Tesla fight this alone isn't enough. We, as the people in this country, also need to get involved. The two White House petitions are a great start.
People calling their state government officials
Please don't stop doing this. While each individual person is only 1 voice, as a group, it definitely makes it known to them that what the auto dealerships are trying to do is wrong. but still, this won't guarantee a universal solution across the country. Each one of us should have the same constitutional right to own a Tesla.
FTC Complaints
Another good approach by the people. http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/17591-FTC-complaint
What to do?
Well, I don't know. Which is why I'm starting this thread. The only real solution that I can think of is one at a federal level. New FTC law possibly. But how do we get this started? I think it is obviously that the FTC is in agreement with us, given their position with their recommendations to North Carolina years ago. This thread also contains some good info: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/show...ocating-Direct-Sales-of-Cars-by-Manufacturers
Specifically, both the Department of Justice and the FTC I think are in agreement with us to allow manufacturers to directly sell to consumers.
And so lets discuss this. What can we do, as people of this country that want to make a difference. Each one of us should have the right to purchase and own this great American product without any interference from auto dealers and the ridiculous state laws they are trying to push. I remember Elon himself said that the real solution to this must be driven by the people, us, and that Tesla can't do it alone.
I have more 2 suggestions that will help on top of the FTC complaints and White House petitions. They are not a solution, but will help spread the word and draw more attention to this manner. The more people are aware of this situation the better. I think most Americans would be in agreement that this great American company with a great product should be allowed to sell it to the people in it's own country!
I can't commit the time to start either, but I would like to see both if possible.
Again I think the real solution needs to be solved at by federal law. What options do we have? How do we make this happen? A simple FTC complaint doesn't seem enough to initiate new law, so how do we drive this?
I do want to make it clear IMO I am not trying to advocate for "getting rid of the dealership network", but rather leave them be, and allow companies like Tesla who have no franchises to operate their own stores just like Apple does. I hesitate to saw this, but I might even concede to something like a compromise, perhaps federal law that states something like 'Allow manufacturer to consumer direct auto sales for manufactures with less than 500,000 yearly sales and allow manufacturer owned and operated stores'. Also law to prevent something like New York trying to make it illegal to register a Tesla would be necessary too. That would be enough to get new companies started and off the ground without interference from auto dealers. Once they start getting above 500,000 sales a year, perhaps a "phase in period" starts where auto dealers can work in conjunction with the manufacturer owned stores that are already running. It's a compromise, but might be a necessary one.
Anywho, let's make a difference! Discuss and take action!
Obviously Tesla is under full attack from auto dealer lobbyists pushing these ridiculous laws at a state by state level. The auto dealer unions etc have a monopoly and are actively taking action to prevent Tesla from selling their cars to us. These laws themselves are so ridiculous, perhaps they may even be violations of our constitutional rights.
The states that I know about "in trouble" are New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Massachusetts. (feel free to correct me or clarify any of the following statements if they are not accurate) In Texas I think you can only buy online and Tesla can't talk about pricing in stores. In Virginia I think is the same now as Texas? I know they had trouble opening the Tyson's store. On top of that, North Carolina pushed laws to even make it illegal to buy a Tesla via the internet (though I think you can still cross state lines and purchase it out of state and still register it in NC.) That itself might violate the Interstate Commerce clause and I'm guess should be an easy win by a lawsuit. I think it's illegal to make a law to regulate your purchases in a different state. And now in NY, on top of all of those, they want to make it illegal to even register a Tesla and make it retroactive to 2006 which is make all Roadsters as well illegal to drive in NY.
So far, the approaches to solve this so far that I know about are:
- Tesla fighting back to stop laws state by state.
- White house petitions (started by "us")
- people calling their state government officials
- FTC complaints
IMO, Tesla fighting back state by state in a scattered approach is just not an effective one. Auto dealerships and their monopolies unfortunately have a lot of money and power and influence. While they will win here and there, there is a lot of time, energy, and money spent to fight these. And it doesn't guarantee a universal solution across the country.
White house petitions (started by "us")
I think Tesla fight this alone isn't enough. We, as the people in this country, also need to get involved. The two White House petitions are a great start.
- The first one didn't get enough sigs in time.
- the second one was just opened. (please sign it and have everyone you know sign it too)
People calling their state government officials
Please don't stop doing this. While each individual person is only 1 voice, as a group, it definitely makes it known to them that what the auto dealerships are trying to do is wrong. but still, this won't guarantee a universal solution across the country. Each one of us should have the same constitutional right to own a Tesla.
FTC Complaints
Another good approach by the people. http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/17591-FTC-complaint
What to do?
Well, I don't know. Which is why I'm starting this thread. The only real solution that I can think of is one at a federal level. New FTC law possibly. But how do we get this started? I think it is obviously that the FTC is in agreement with us, given their position with their recommendations to North Carolina years ago. This thread also contains some good info: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/show...ocating-Direct-Sales-of-Cars-by-Manufacturers
Specifically, both the Department of Justice and the FTC I think are in agreement with us to allow manufacturers to directly sell to consumers.
And so lets discuss this. What can we do, as people of this country that want to make a difference. Each one of us should have the right to purchase and own this great American product without any interference from auto dealers and the ridiculous state laws they are trying to push. I remember Elon himself said that the real solution to this must be driven by the people, us, and that Tesla can't do it alone.
I have more 2 suggestions that will help on top of the FTC complaints and White House petitions. They are not a solution, but will help spread the word and draw more attention to this manner. The more people are aware of this situation the better. I think most Americans would be in agreement that this great American company with a great product should be allowed to sell it to the people in it's own country!
- A facebook page dedicated to this fight (please discuss what it should be called and if anyone wants to start it)
- A web site also dedicated to this fight.
I can't commit the time to start either, but I would like to see both if possible.
Again I think the real solution needs to be solved at by federal law. What options do we have? How do we make this happen? A simple FTC complaint doesn't seem enough to initiate new law, so how do we drive this?
I do want to make it clear IMO I am not trying to advocate for "getting rid of the dealership network", but rather leave them be, and allow companies like Tesla who have no franchises to operate their own stores just like Apple does. I hesitate to saw this, but I might even concede to something like a compromise, perhaps federal law that states something like 'Allow manufacturer to consumer direct auto sales for manufactures with less than 500,000 yearly sales and allow manufacturer owned and operated stores'. Also law to prevent something like New York trying to make it illegal to register a Tesla would be necessary too. That would be enough to get new companies started and off the ground without interference from auto dealers. Once they start getting above 500,000 sales a year, perhaps a "phase in period" starts where auto dealers can work in conjunction with the manufacturer owned stores that are already running. It's a compromise, but might be a necessary one.
Anywho, let's make a difference! Discuss and take action!
. Make sure you are on public property, do not block or harrass anyone, and there is nothing they can do.
