Auto dealers in Missouri attempt to block Tesla sales - Polidicks

[QUOTE]In the last week before Missouri’s legislature ends its current session, dealers proposed new language in an existing bill that would force Missouri consumers to purchase new vehicles only through middleman franchised dealers. The bill, HB 1124, has been in circulation since December 2013. It was passed by the House on April 17 without the anti-Tesla language. Last night, the bill with the new anti-Tesla language passed the Senate after zero public consultation and could soon move to the House floor for a final vote, essentially without debate. This change is not an innocent, minor amendment. It is completely unrelated to the original bill, which was about laws regarding all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, and utility vehicles. It is also a complete 180 from current law. The current statute only bars franchisors from competing against their franchisees (for example, Ford cannot compete against Ford dealerships). Tesla complies with that statute because we do not compete with any franchise. Just as we saw in New Jersey, however, this bill amendment expands the scope of the existing law well beyond its original intent. They are attempting to do so in part by redefining the word “franchisor” to mean “manufacturer”, a pirouette of which the legislators may not even be aware. To be clear: this is worse than a mere case of dealers trying to protect an existing monopoly – this is a case of dealers trying to [I]create[/I] a monopoly.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/trouble-missouri"]Source[/URL] Funny how I thought I lived in a somewhat reasonable state...

I'm from Missouri and i had no idea about this, time to email my representative, which i think one is from this very town, i think i saw his car at the grocery store.

Can't Elon Musk just open up a shell company that owns dealerships to sell their cars in states that do this?

[QUOTE=zombini;44760205]I'm from Missouri and i had no idea about this, time to email my representative, which i think one is from this very town, i think i saw his car at the grocery store.[/QUOTE] The Tesla blog included a link to a [url=http://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/default.aspx/leg_lookup.aspx]legislator lookup[/url] for Missourians. Probably going to send a few of my own soon...

If this gets bad enough Tesla might just decide that they'll make their own middle man company.

This is fucking ridiculous. Jesus christ just let them sell their fucking cars you colossal faggots. It's not like they're affordable. You're not going to lose that much business.

[QUOTE=Telepethi;44760489]This is fucking ridiculous. Jesus christ just let them sell their fucking cars you colossal faggots. It's not like they're affordable. You're not going to lose that much business.[/QUOTE] What they fear is that other car makers could see Tesla's success and try to go ahead and open their own dealerships. [editline]9th May 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;44760215]Can't Elon Musk just open up a shell company that owns dealerships to sell their cars in states that do this?[/QUOTE] That wouldn't probably fly with regulators if the government goes ahead and bans direct sales from automakers.

'Free market'

A car that's made to be extremely efficient and doesn't need gasoline is destined to be shot at by the current market.

I love it when legislators are allowed to completely fuck over the intent of a law and rewrite shit by attaching it to unrelated stuff. they did something similar in Ohio for abortions by tacking it onto an appropriations budget. who taught these people ethics or law, because that teacher needs to be shot

[QUOTE=Sableye;44760840]I love it when legislators are allowed to completely fuck over the intent of a law and rewrite shit by attaching it to unrelated stuff. they did something similar in Ohio for abortions by tacking it onto an appropriations budget. who taught these people ethics or law, because that teacher needs to be shot[/QUOTE] It's exactly how the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban got passed. They tacked it onto a really helpful bill as an addon, when it was barely related to the content of it.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

Oi, another state being a dick about it? Come on Missouri, tell the dealerships to go fuck themselves. Also, Elon Musk, stop fapping onto Launchpad 39A and start a dealership chain already. This sort of shit won't work on you if you have a dealership network anyway. [QUOTE=OvB;44760856]First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.[/QUOTE] More like "Coexist somewhat peacefully", in this case. Internal combustion is here to stay. It's not going anywhere. Even if they do by some miracle come up with a practical electric car there will still be car buyers who insist on burning something to get around, and there will be enough of them that carmakers will continue to sell ICE powered cars.

ICE will likely be around forever unless someone decides to outright ban them. [editline]9th May 2014[/editline] Electric or not, the Tesla model of direct to customer sale is the most personal manufacturer-customer relationship there is in a car company. No other car company will do what they do.

[QUOTE=Sableye;44760840]I love it when legislators are allowed to completely fuck over the intent of a law and rewrite shit by attaching it to unrelated stuff. they did something similar in Ohio for abortions by tacking it onto an appropriations budget. who taught these people ethics or law, because that teacher needs to be shot[/QUOTE] They need to ban riders. They're bullshit and an asshole way of getting what you want even when everyone else says "no."

Legislation to make it illegal to purchase a car unless you do so through an unrelated middleman just so that middleman can stay in business? How did that even get through in the first place. car salesmen are becoming obsolete and resisting it. complete bs.

[QUOTE=latin_geek;44761329]Legislation to make it illegal to purchase a car unless you do so through an unrelated middleman just so that middleman can stay in business? How did that even get through in the first place. car salesmen are becoming obsolete and resisting it. complete bs.[/QUOTE] /truth It really is an inefficient way to do it, and I would like to see it changed if that change is brought about in a way that won't cost jobs. Dealerships have employees who depend on them to live. Dumping them would be terrible. I'd like to see manufacturers own and operate the dealerships, keeping the jobs, but cutting out the middleman. But this won't happen because the cars get taxed when the manufacturer sells them, and they get taxed again when the dealer sells them. They like the current method of double dipping on those taxes....

mmmmmmmmm my capitalism tastes so goooooooood

Anyone rich enough to buy a Model S is rich enough to go to a neighbouring state and spend their money there. This legislation is stupid anyway. We don't have it in Canada and dealerships aren't suffering.

They just won't learn, they all say they are for capitalism but when these banks and auto manufacturers start to fail they always come in and bail them out, either directly with cash or indirectly with legislation. It's bullshit, when a company refuses to change the way it does business to keep up with the world, they should fail so a new company can take it's place. Between the unions and the kickbacks to politicians the auto industry is almost like another branch of government. They should not have this much influence.

[QUOTE=OvB;44760856]First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.[/QUOTE] [video=youtube;g52Uh9wmqZg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g52Uh9wmqZg[/video] Took me a minute to remember where that came from. :v: Anyway, several states have blocked Tesla sales for some time already, its disgusting how more states are considering it as well.

Poor Tesla. First he had to fight Edison and now car manufacturers and dealers.

These states can block Tesla sales all they want but the people looking to buy the car will go to another state. All they are doing is losing themselves tax dollars while lining their own pockets with the money of lobbyists. I can't even tell you how many Tesla's I have seen in the northern Virginia area and our state is one that has blocked the sale of them. It is nothing but sheer greed on the legislators' part.

[QUOTE=Silence I Kill You;44763425]/truth It really is an inefficient way to do it, and I would like to see it changed if that change is brought about in a way that won't cost jobs. Dealerships have employees who depend on them to live. Dumping them would be terrible. I'd like to see manufacturers own and operate the dealerships, keeping the jobs, but cutting out the middleman. But this won't happen because the cars get taxed when the manufacturer sells them, and they get taxed again when the dealer sells them. They like the current method of double dipping on those taxes....[/QUOTE] as much as the us's (hell, the world's) job market is in shambles at the moment, it's not a good reason to keep the old models. Factories bought robots and machines that can each do the work of a dozen men, did factory workers protest? probably. it's progress.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;44763812]Anyone rich enough to buy a Model S is rich enough to go to a neighbouring state and spend their money there. This legislation is stupid anyway. We don't have it in Canada and dealerships aren't suffering.[/QUOTE] Well you can still buy them online from your house/state but the purchase goes through California. These bills just make it impossible for Tesla to sell cars at their stores. (They're like mall Apple stores for cars) Tesla has manufacturer owned "dealers" where you can sit in a car and look at different options, colors, pricing, financing and all that typical dealer stuff. In these states you can go to the store and sit in a car and look at the options/colors but it's illegal for them to discuss price and sell you a car. It goes from a store to a gallery.

[QUOTE=barttool;44760520]What they fear is that other car makers could see Tesla's success and try to go ahead and open their own dealerships.[/QUOTE] Boo fucking hoo. Welcome to Capitalism. Adapt or die.

[QUOTE=Zephyrs;44769581]Boo fucking hoo. Welcome to Capitalism. Adapt or die.[/QUOTE] American capitalism is adapt or bribe the government to inconvenience you competetors.

[QUOTE=OvB;44760971]ICE will likely be around forever unless someone decides to outright ban them[/QUOTE] I hope it never comes to that, ICE engines have a feel and magic to them that all-electric vehicles will never be able to duplicate.

[QUOTE=latin_geek;44766930]as much as the us's (hell, the world's) job market is in shambles at the moment, it's not a good reason to keep the old models. Factories bought robots and machines that can each do the work of a dozen men, did factory workers protest? probably. it's progress.[/QUOTE] At the time being, robots can not replace the service section of a dealership. You would need so many different robots, which would make it not cost effective in the least bit. I'm not talking about the "salesmen", I'm talking about the service department and such. And yes, in the U.S.'s current state, job availability is a VERY good reason to keep an older business model for the time being. "Progress" means nothing if you destroy the society you're trying to progress.

[QUOTE=GoldenDargon;44769898]I hope it never comes to that, ICE engines have have a feel and magic to them that all-electric vehicles will never be able to duplicate.[/QUOTE] You just said "internal combustion engine engines have have..." Yes I'm that guy/ On a lighter note- there will never be a need for a ban. Once gas hits a cost the average person can't pay- the ICE is effectively dead.