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Texas Lawmakers Want To Stop Tesla From Fixing Its Own Cars (electrek.co)
In Texas the local car dealer lobby has blocked Tesla from selling its cars directly to customers. They're using old laws meant to prevent car manufacturers from competing with their own local dealers -- but Tesla never had any local dealers!
And according to Electrek, it gets worse... Despite this issue, Texans have bought thousands of Tesla vehicles, which the automaker delivers from other states to comply with the law. Tesla has been able to service those vehicles through its own service centers, which are not subject to those same direct-sale rules, but now dealers are even going after Tesla's right to service its cars.
Quartz offers some additional coverage: At issue is a battle over money. Car dealers derive much of their revenue from selling and (especially) servicing vehicles. Tesla's direct-to-customer sales and service stations are a threat to that business model since they cut dealers out of the transaction.
And according to Electrek, it gets worse... Despite this issue, Texans have bought thousands of Tesla vehicles, which the automaker delivers from other states to comply with the law. Tesla has been able to service those vehicles through its own service centers, which are not subject to those same direct-sale rules, but now dealers are even going after Tesla's right to service its cars.
Quartz offers some additional coverage: At issue is a battle over money. Car dealers derive much of their revenue from selling and (especially) servicing vehicles. Tesla's direct-to-customer sales and service stations are a threat to that business model since they cut dealers out of the transaction.
The state which prides itself on getting big government out people lives until the people need the power of big government to kill competition.
I really like the thought of not having to take a car in for service, that someone can just come out and repair it.
One thing I've wondered is how the fix some things without a real lift - like if they need to replace some parts of the suspension. Seems like they would still have to take it to a real shop for some more advanced repairs.
Since an electric car is generally simpler. I had been wondering what kinds of repairs people were even calling in...
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Did they already get John Deere to open up their software?
Right to repair works both ways. Every mechanic should have a right to work on Teslas if they so choose, but Tesla should also have a right to service their own cars if they choose.
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My mechanic is planning on specializing in vintage cars as the electrics start happening. He expects it'll be a pretty quick switch. He says that there will be very little to fix outside of suspensions, and occasionally brakes. Even brakes won't need as much fixing, because electric cars will probably all use regenerative braking. Electric motors, of course, last a very, very, very long time, and generally, they're so cheap that it makes more sense to replace a motor than taking the time to re-wind the coils.
I don't respond to AC's.
Nope. I had mobile repair replace my parking brakes (warranty issue) and rotate my tires. He did it in my garage with a jack. The whole point of mobile service is that while it takes the repair guy a bit more time (both in driving and in working), it saves them a ton of overhead in buildings, so it ends up being cheaper.
The same type of laws are present in all 50 states. Most of the states have had those laws for 50+ years, with a few going back 100 years. A few stragglers joined in the last 30 years, with Texas being the last one. So those accusing Texas of doing this because of some anti-Tesla agenda should read up on history, and look into their own states' laws before throwing stones. It'll be a helluva lot more productive towards repealing these laws or updating them to reflect how cars are purchased and repaired in the 21st century.
Forget Chicago, New York, California. The state of Texas has by far the most corrupt politicians in the nation. From the governor on down to local sheriffs, they all have their hands out to someone who's only happy to put a little something in it.
This came as a surprise to me when lived in South Texas. Texans love to talk about their love of freedom and hatred for big government and regulation, but it turned out to be the exact opposite. This is a real shame, because the people of Texas, the actual citizens, are some of the nicest, most decent people you could meet. But decades of unabashed corruption and gerrymandering have completely destroyed anything like true representation. Only recently has this been changing a little bit, because the energy industry in Texas is slowly losing it's mojo.
They've covered in up using Koch Brothers money and energy industry wealth, but if you look closely, you quickly learn that Texas state politicians are so corrupt it would make a Chicago alderman blush.
You are welcome on my lawn.
While I don't agree Texas should ban anyone, least of all the manufacturer, from repairing Teslas, if third parties are unable to repair Teslas then that would also be a serious problem, and would be one warranting government intervention. You shouldn't be dependent upon a manufacturer to have their products repaired.
You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
Ah-bullshit.
https://service.teslamotors.co...
Most of those jobs can be done by a mobile mechanic though the suspension repair may need a trip to the alignment shop at the end.
Source, I've done most of them at home with a jack and jack stands.
For tires, there are fully equipped tire trucks and that is the way big trucks often get their tires fixed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
He is no more at risk with an auto repair tech than he is with a plumber, appliance repair, HVAC repair, etc.
Ken
Tesla mobile service is awesome. They come to you and fix the car. Since Teslas don't need any routine maintenance (no oil change, tuneups, etc.), you only need service when something breaks. Again, since the cars are so simple (electric motor, big battery) there's not much to go wrong.
In 75,000 miles, I've only needed service twice. Once for water in a tail light and once for a door handle repair. Mobile service came and fixed the door handle. Fast and easy. (Tail light was repaired under warranty before mobile service was available.)
Auto dealers are pissed at Tesla because EVs don't need any of their overpriced service. So happy I don't have to go to the dealer for oil change, etc.
I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
Anybody can fix any Tesla. Anybody can buy parts. Anybody can sell parts.
(Check out Rich Rebuilds on YouTube.)
I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
And how many states are enforcing those laws against Tesla? That's the only thing relevant here, and Texas is the only state making noises about blocking not just sales, but repairs.
Texas - as Red and GOP as you can get
Unlike Connecticut, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, which are Blue and restrict manufacturer-direct sales completely or to a large degree..... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... And if you think that manufacturers wanting to sell directly to consumers is a new idea, then I have a bridge to sell you.
If you post as Anonymous Coward, don't expect a reply.
Tesla mobile service is awesome. They come to you and fix the car. Since Teslas don't need any routine maintenance (no oil change, tuneups, etc.), you only need service when something breaks. Again, since the cars are so simple (electric motor, big battery) there's not much to go wrong.
In 75,000 miles, I've only needed service twice. Once for water in a tail light and once for a door handle repair. Mobile service came and fixed the door handle. Fast and easy. (Tail light was repaired under warranty before mobile service was available.)
Auto dealers are pissed at Tesla because EVs don't need any of their overpriced service. So happy I don't have to go to the dealer for oil change, etc.
In my experience modern ICE cars don't suffer a lot of severe powertrain related breakdowns. More than 50% of repairs is stuff that would impact an electric car the same: Tie-rod ends, struts, etc.
Meanwhile Tesla owners seems to have a lot of warranty claims for door handles (WTF? How can these break?) and "Drive Units" (AKA complete powertrain). Teslas actually have a poor reliability rating.
Don't get me wrong, as a nerd I like electric cars. Tesla has made very interesting models, and really pushed range. I'm also perfectly fine with Tesla trying to "disrupt" the dealership model, however there seems to be a reality-distortion-field around them.
Also, I'm a fan of right to repair. Tesla doesn't seem like they are. Third-party repairs? LOL.
If it was paradise, your numbers would not be falling. I am also looking at you NY
I can't speak about California, but NY used to be a blue collar state. Those days are long gone. Upstate is losing population in droves because there are no opportunities there at all, and NYC is all but unlivable for anyone with an IQ less than 100. Everything I understand about California suggests it is the same there. The "blue" states have policies that are actively driving away stupid people. Other states have policies that appear more welcoming (by way of blue collar jobs), but generally guarantee that the next generation will be no better than the last. That only goes so far, and eventually all of those jobs go to automation anyway.
Just like opportunity, social mobility looks an awful lot like hard work and, in this country, politicians don't have the foresight to know what they are looking at.
I wish I had a good sig, but all the good ones are copyrighted
Modern ICE cars do need oil changes and have finicky emission systems which require regular maintenance.
Teslas really don't need any routine maintenance. Even brakes seem to last forever because of regen.
The early production of the door handle retraction mechanism had a weak pivot gear which broke. The replacement is much stronger. Same with the early "drivetrain failure" which was just a "milling sound" due to lack of lubrication in early production models. The whole drivetrain can be dropped by removing about 4 bolts so the easiest thing to do was exchange them and send them back to the factory for rebuild. My car (a 2015) fortunately hasn't had that problem.
The reality is that the cars are very reliable and people have driven them hundreds of thousands of miles with very little maintenance or repair. Even the batteries are proving to be be solid with less than 10% degradation over 100,000 miles so they should last a lot longer than an ICE car.
Tesla has loosened up their policy on parts so anyone can buy any replacement part and shop manuals and of course there are salvage parts available so anyone could open up a Tesla repair shop. Problem is that they don't need much in the way of maintenance and repair so not much of a market.
I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
but now dealers are even going after Tesla's right to service its cars.
what about the customer right to get their car serviced through someone of their choosing? i thought capitalist america was ostensibly all about customer choice?