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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.
Telsa... you're being banned state by state, what's wrong?
They are not giving out big fat bribes to the right people.
Jesus was a compassionate social conservative who called individuals to sin no more.
Wonder how much the dealer franchises had to pay in bribes for a unanimous vote. Seems a bit overkill when you only need a majority.
"There are lies, there are damn lies, and there are statistics"
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They probably just assume no one reads TFA anyway....
We live in an Oligarchy.
If the majority of wealthy car dealers don't want Tesla ruining their state-sponsored, protectionist, big-government, corporate-welfare free ride; they'll send an army of lobbyists to make sure none of them have to compete against one.
I'm sorry, but your opinion seems to be wrong.
They probably didn't read it either.
They're too successful, that's what. Mess with the Big Three and you're bound to run into trouble.
Sorta kinda like Tucker.
auto exec:: you have to do something!!! Tesla will RUIN us with their online sales tactics and futuristic car designs they probably stole from us!! hard working people from michigan will lose their jobs!
governor: what about flint, saginaw, pontiac, and detroit...theyre all completely bankrupt from 40 years of your bullshit.
auto exec: yeah but that was just the hand of the free market and the customers werent buying and stocks too, those were bad.
governor:so you're telling me you cant compete against another american car maker...but you already have an electric car called the volt...and you could just revive the 2 or 3 GM electric vehicles you designed in the past...those worked and were cheap.
auto exec: yeah, we could, but thats all way more expensive than our 2015 strategy: Fucking do what we say or you're ass is out of office.
Governor: Tesla?! why didnt you tell me about these flaming terrorist shariah abortion clinics on wheels sooner!
Good people go to bed earlier.
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?
Here is where the logic fails
1) Republicans control the House, Senate, and Governorship of Michigan.
2) Republicans are "pro-business".
3) Republicans believe in "minimal government".
4) Republicans believe in "minimal regulation"
It would stand to reason that people holding this philosophy would let the "market forces" take their course without government interference. However, this is not how they behave. Hmmm.
Look at the existing franchise laws and how they are being used. It's not really a question that bribes are occurring, it's what lobbying is by it's very definition.
Here, this one's free.
Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
1) So the manufacturer cannot give their own dealership an unfair advantage over franchised dealerships. This is what happened back in the early 20th century when Ford and others were trying to strong-arm their franchisees.
2) So they can sell direct to consumers. They feel that existing franchised auto-dealerships will not give them a fair shake. They'll steer customers unfairly to buy the Ford, Chevy, Nissan, whatever else they're selling if Tesla doesn't give them a bigger commission. Think of the last time you visit a commission based electronics store (ABC Warehouse as an example), the salesmen will push a consumer to purchase the goods which give them the biggest commission. It doesn't matter what the consumer needs, they want a bigger payday, and honestly with that model it's hard to blame them.
Using the electronics example, Tesla is taking the Apple approach, where they want to control the presentation of their goods and who sells them. Apple might not get the greatest shake from the salesman at ABC Warehouse if Samsung is offering a higher commission. However when you go to an Apple Store, you get a salesman who is not paid on commission and their job is to solely educate you about Apple products. Tesla wants the same experience, come to a store where the salesman knows everything about a Tesla and can sell it to you in an environment catered to it. These are niche products that won't get a fair shake from the existing dealerships without a good bribe, just like our Congress in Michigan has shown.
No. Lobbying involves talking and bribery involves illegal money.
Oh, to be so young and naive again. Yes, little Jimmy, lobbying just involves talking--and Santa Claus is real too.
SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
I think this works in Teslas' favour. Nothing better than making something illegal to get the attention of everyone and make them want it more.
So he asks for evidence, you dont provide any, and you get a +5 mod.
Good work, guys.
https://www.opensecrets.org/lo...
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
They don't have to bribe all 50 states. They only have to convince Congress to exercise its authority over Interstate Commerce to prohibit these anti-competitive state laws.
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
I was saying that "lobbying" and "bribery" have actual definitions as words.
So do you just ignore all facts that conflict with your narrative and make up word definitions as needed?
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.
If SCOTUS can claim that growing a garden for personal use is Interstate Commerce, then so to is an automobile company in one state selling cars in another.
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
I love all the chatter about how Tesla is "harming the industry" by selling direct. **rolling eyes**
Directly selling cars to the public is only harmful to the middlemen in the dealerships that ARE indeed greasing their state legislators with fat political contributions. Why should auto manufacturers be forced to deal with middlemen to sell to the public? How in the world does direct sales "harm the industry"? Are large home builders forbidden to sell houses directly to consumers? The whole concept of protecting a parasitic middleman is just ridiculous. It results in inefficiency and higher prices.
You don't need legislation to deal with this.
The hassle of a repair will figure into people's purchasing decisions. Other businesses will spring up, who make money from facilitating the repair process. Etc