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Ohio Attempting To Stop Tesla From Selling Cars, Again

Posted by Unknown on from the screams-of-dying-middlemen dept.

cartechboy writes "Man the automotive dealer associations don't like Tesla. Remember that time the Ohio dealers attempted to block Tesla from selling its electric cars in in the Buckeye State. Now, it's happening again. The car dealers are once again pushing legislation that would keep Tesla from selling cars in Ohio. Senate Bill 260 would prohibit the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles from issuing car-dealer licenses to auto manufacturers. Since Tesla owns and operates its own network of 'dealerships' (aka galleries), this would make it so the automaker couldn't acquire a car-dealer license. Section 11 of the bill lists 'a manufacturer... applying for license to sell or lease new motor vehicles at retail' as one of the types of organization ineligible for a dealership license. On top of all this, the language isn't on the Senate floor as a standalone bill. No, it's inserted as an amendment to Senate Bill 137 which is an unrelated bill requiring Ohio drivers to move to the left while passing roadside maintenance vehicles. Is this yet another slimy tactic to try and undercut the new kid on the block?"

3 of 387 comments (clear)

  1. Pretty Much. by SlashdotWanker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yes.

    1. Re:Pretty Much. by Kenja · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Which is even more baffling, I usually associate free market to republicans. Dems are usually supporters of bigger government.

      That's what Republicans claim, but there is very little recent evidence of this.

      --

      "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  2. Re:Meh... by Gadget27 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Cutting out the middle man is not a crime, its an achievement.

    What would be the problem if Ford or Honda sold directly to the consumer? Are you suggesting that it's anti-competitive to set the price of your own product? In a scenario without dealerships, there would still be competition... not between dealerships, but between manufactures instead. If you could only buy a Ford from Ford, and the only cars on the market were Ford, then there could be a problem, but there is no shortage of auto manufactures to keep the market competitive.