Slashdot Mirror
Michigan About To Ban Tesla Sales
cartechboy writes It's a story we've come to see quite often: a state trying to ban Tesla's direct sales model. It seems something sneaky just happened in Michigan where Tesla sales are about to be banned. Bill HB 5606 originally intended to offer added protection to franchised dealers and consumers from price gouging by carmakers, and was passed by the Michigan House in September without any anti-Tesla language. However, once it hit the Senate wording was changed that might imply the legality of a manufacturer-owned dealership was removed. The modified bill was passed unanimously by the Senate on October 2, and then sent back to the House that day where it passed with only a single dissenting vote. The bill was modified without any opportunity for public comment. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has less than a week to sign the bill into law. Of course, Tesla's already fighting this legislation.
According to this map, state bans on Tesla sales are a Republican thing.
The Governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder, is a Republican. The Michigan State Senate has a 26-to-12 Republican majority and in the House a 59-to-50 Republican majority. With control of both the executive and legislative branches of government, it is certainly Republicans who are accountable for revoking the freedom to purchase a Tesla in Michigan.
By the way, it is election season, and I have noticed signs in my neighborhood stating, "For freedom, vote Republican."
Ceci n'est pas une signature.
Telsa... you're being banned state by state, what's wrong?
Thats a very very good question. What is wrong here? Look at everywhere else in the world. ONLY in the US do these batshit crazy weird laws against carmakers selling cars to consumers exist.
Its one of the strangest laws you guys have. Its akin to banning HP from selling computers to consumers, or banning Mc Donalds from selling Big Macs directly to consumers. It makes absolutely no logical or ethical sense whatsoever. Not in the slightest.
Whats wrong?
Seriously. What is going on here?
If they had competitive cars to sell, they probably wouldn't mind so much - they'd just buckle down, and emphasize the value they bring to the table (perceived or real). But they don't have ultra-high-tech, hyped cars to compete, and now their lifeline is at risk. I'm not surprised they go this route.
But Tesla is in a better position here I think. First, nothing says "this product is awesome" than competitors trying to ban it. Second, they can up the game. I was an evil strategist, I'd start by building extra many free charging stations in MI, run a large ad campaign, then offer the car at a discount for MI residents.
uh... have you seen the state of Detroit lately?
"Detroit" is only nominally the home of the auto industry, and is maintained by Ford and GM as a brand of sorts to evoke classic American cars.
Other than executive offices, all the big auto manufacturing plants are situated - and nearly all the workers live - well outside the city itself, in the suburbs where (other than being impacted by Detroit's implosion and the overall Great Recession decline) things are pretty good.
So when you hear someone say "Detroit is fighting Tesla," thats not the case. Detroit couldn't fight Pawnee, Indiana and win two out of three. What they really actually mean is "Detroit" the brand/region, i.e. the corporations that employ hundreds of thousands of Michigan voters - and the suppliers/subcontractors/vendors to those companies, who probably employ as many if not more Michigan residents. So don't take Detroit's colossal f***up as any indication that the power of Ford/GM, its ecosystem and perhaps most importantly the UAW as being diminished in any way.
"95% of all Slashdot