Koch Brothers, Serria Club, and 8 other public-intrest groups now backing Tesla's bid for direct aut

[OvB]

[quote] (Bloomberg) -- Talk about strange bedfellows. The environmental group Sierra Club and Americans for Prosperity, the political action group funded by the Koch brothers, are both backing Tesla Motors Inc. in its battle to avoid franchised dealers and sell cars direct to consumers.

Both are among 10 public-interest groups that have signed a letter to U.S. governors and legislators in support of the electric-car maker. Tesla has been fighting legal battles in many states to be able to sell cars without enlisting independent franchised dealers.

Tesla has been trying to get around the dealer franchise system that has controlled who can sell cars for decades. The public-interest groups’ letter, set to be released Tuesday, argues that existing franchise laws “retard innovation.” [/quote]
[quote]The signers of the letter include three free-market groups, four competition and consumer-protection organizations, two environmental organizations and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. [/quote]
[url]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-17/koch-brothers-sierra-club-join-tesla-in-fight-with-dealers[/url]

Talk about acquiring some serious lobbying power. Auto dealers associations going to have an uphill battle.

[Col. Buggernuts]

I can see why an environmentalist group would want to make it easier for electric cars to sell, but why would the Koch brothers give a shit?

[OvB]

[QUOTE=Sgt Doom;47173971]I can see why an environmentalist group would want to make it easier for electric cars to sell, but why would the Koch brothers give a shit?[/QUOTE]

They want the direct sales method.
[url]http://americansforprosperity.org/article/time-for-detour-on-antiquated-car-dealer-protection-laws[/url]

[Col. Buggernuts]

[QUOTE=OvB;47173997]They want the direct sales method.
[url]http://americansforprosperity.org/article/time-for-detour-on-antiquated-car-dealer-protection-laws[/url][/QUOTE]Ah, so it's just part of their general push for deregulation?

[OvB]

[QUOTE=Sgt Doom;47174008]Ah, so it's just part of their general push for deregulation?[/QUOTE]

Pretty much what their wishes are yeah. But Koch represents a lot of lobbying power that Tesla lacks. Along with all the other groups, I think Tesla finally has the firepower to win over the rest of the states.

[IKTM]

[QUOTE=Sgt Doom;47174008]Ah, so it's just part of their general push for deregulation?[/QUOTE]

You know what they say about broken clocks...

[elix]

Icky that the Kochs are getting involved, but, this is a big win for Tesla, and the auto dealership setup does kind of seem like an antiquated cartel in the era of Amazon Prime.

[QUOTE=IKTM;47174037]You know what they say about broken clocks...[/QUOTE]

They're still good for shit all but two seconds every day.

[Sableye]

Koch and Tesla... I do t think the two couldn't be any different, but the Koch's are using them to deregulate

[spiritlol]

The Koch Brothers could fart and change the view of congressmen.

[croguy]

Why not just approve of the direct sale system with regulations and the removal of all the bullshit car dealerships throw into the mix? I'm sure everyone would support that, regardless of the fact that Koch is involved.

[Pilot1215]

[QUOTE=Sgt Doom;47173971]I can see why an environmentalist group would want to make it easier for electric cars to sell, but why would the Koch brothers give a shit?[/QUOTE]

Because the Koch Brothers actually do support some good things like deregulation of an over-regulated market. I support the Koch Brothers on a few things.

[Reshy]

Just so long as the Koch Brothers don't buy them out.

[Nomad]

[QUOTE=Reshy;47183120]Just so long as the Koch Brothers don't buy them out.[/QUOTE]

I think that's unlikely.

[OvB]

[QUOTE=Reshy;47183120]Just so long as the Koch Brothers don't buy them out.[/QUOTE]

It's just their Political Action Committee.