"Tesla Illegally Nabbed Dealer License In Mo., Suit Says"

It's been reported a few places. Here is one:
Auto dealers sue Missouri over Tesla car sales : Business

The auto dealers' attorney was quoted as saying “It disadvantages hundreds of Missouri car dealers who have been doing business for many, many years.”

So I'm confused. I thought the dealers' position was they are so much better for consumers because they provide competition and protect the buyer from the manufacturer. They say their way of selling cars is so much better for consumers, that it should be enshrined in state laws. So how does Tesla selling direct "disadvantage" them? Wouldn't consumers flock to them instead, preferring all the advantages consumers supposedly have when they buy from a dealer? If it disadvantages the dealers, doesn't that mean the advantage goes to the consumer? What other party is there in these transactions?

This is a frivolous lawsuit. Tesla was authorized to sell in Missouri in 2013, and they should be allowed to continue doing so.

Electric700 said:

This is a frivolous lawsuit. Tesla was authorized to sell in Missouri in 2013, and they should be allowed to continue doing so.

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Agreed. Last May they tried to pass a law banning direct sales in MO and failed. Now they're trying to argue that the law already bans direct sales.

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TexasEV said:

It's been reported a few places. Here is one:
Auto dealers sue Missouri over Tesla car sales : Business

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Look, it's TMC's own Liz G in her Model S at the St Louis Auto Show!

In other news, MACS, the Missouri Association of Coffee Shops, filed suit against Starbucks for opening stores selling their own brand of coffee directly to coffee drinkers. "It disadvantages hundreds of Missouri coffee shops who have been doing business for many, many years," the coffee association's attorney said. He added, "If we don't put a stop to this unfair competition, next thing you know Apple could start opening stores to sell iPhones in competition with the corner cell phone store selling the latest flip phone. Where will it end?"

I always enjoy giving money to someone who does nothing for me.

It's like the old saying goes, "If you can't beat them, sue them..."

Liz G said:

I always enjoy giving money to someone who does nothing for me.

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If only they just did nothing. Instead, they try to milk you for every last penny for the vehicle, after which they try to sell you rust proofing, undercoating, paint protecting, VIN etching and the list goes and on to the point that consumers need protection from dealer's scams...

Watch for These Car Dealer Sales Pitches | New Car Buying Guide - Consumer Reports

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) Woke a Sleeping Giant

Cogent, persuasive, articulate, on-point, and well-said.

The campaign began last summer, and according to NADA's chairman William Fox,
they plan to continue to “promote the benefits of the dealer-franchise network.”
Which begs the question: If it's so damn great, why do they have to promote it at all?

Silly rabbit, critical thinking is for kids!

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I chuckled at that line.