Hell, it was the regulations that let the car manufacturers get so big they were "too big to fail" and had to be bailed out by American taxpayers...
Now they are going to meddle in the industry more?
You got to be kidding me.
As other's have said, let the market decide. The auto companies in the US have only recently learned how to build decent cars once again (after a 25
year hiatus), if they want to corporatize the delivery to customers... It's the govs fault for letting them walk all over the place.
If Toyota, or foreign dealers, decide they only want corporate owned delivery, it still means they need dealerships and sales agents. All of which are
going to need paid workers to man and operate.
And heck, aren't most dealerships damn near corporate as it is?
edit on 21-5-2013 by boncho because: (no reason given)
After rereading the OP source and a post in thread by a member (suggesting it's just to protect NC car dealers from out of state...) I am seeing it
more like the OP to be honest.
Yes, it will protect dealers from online dealers out of state, but, it really affects Tesla first and foremost. The thing is, is these laws seem to be
on the books in a few places. And they are directed at all the auto manufacturers. Probably because of the competition in the past, and of course,
when dealerships were normal but with technology etc, the possibility to corporatize the sales channels, probably led to any laws standing. And if
this part is true:
In its current form, North Carolina’s bill would be the harshest of a handful of anti-Tesla regulations around the country. In Texas, the
company is fighting a law under which the employees of its “showroom” in Austin are not allowed to sell any vehicles, offer test drives, or even
tell customers how much the car costs. But at least Texas still lets people buy the car online, which North Carolina’s law would prohibit.
It seems Tesla is getting nailed in other states as well.
Here's the thing though.
All Apple stores are corporate. Yep! Remember asking someone who worked there about their figures. A single mall
location was pulling in 30 mil a year. I was like "Woah, that franchise owner is killing it!" But that's where he schooled me, and informed that all
Apple stores are corporate. Which is funny actually, because if you purchase through online, they are a different corporation than instore. Try buying
something in store that is ordered through 'corporate', you can't even pay them in store.
It is such a dumb bureaucracy.
Anyway, it may not be so much that Tesla is getting "Singled out", I mean, they are. But, consider that all the other car companies are dumping their
vehicles at cut rate prices (in their minds) simply to keep their dealerships in business. From their perspective, it's an unfair advantage. But you
and I both know they want Tesla gone if they can have it.
I am actually happy about this though. Because here have a form of "suppression" that everyone is always claiming, blaming or accusing of in the
new/alternative energy industry.
Now wait!
It's not as cut and dry as it looks. 1, the auto dealers and the paid-in-pocket-politicians have a very valid point. Should the law be being thrown at
Tesla though, or for it? In my opinion, it should be protecting Tesla. They have been operating at losses since the company was founded.
This year marks an extremely successful one for them though. Their cars are gaining wider popularity. They are more desirable than BMWs, Porsches, and
the equivalents. And with good reason, have you seen the specs??
So here is the predicament. Tesla has been on the brink of failure. They have done an amazing job of fixing their problems and even bringing a new
model to market while suffering some major setbacks.
Once they are profitable, there is no reason for them not to have dealerships like the rest of the auto giants. That is however, if their business
model can hold up. Lets hope it does! I really love these cars. In fact, I might start really considering to buy one myself.
I initially wanted one during their launch, seeing the problems with them though I was totally bummed out, and my want turned to 'do not want'.
In any case, this all is up to Tesla, to either play by the rules everyone else is, OR, for people and the gov to reset the standard, and let the
market decide how people want their cars. (Quite possibly, this will mean... How the CORPORATIONS want you, to want your cars.)
Let's be real here, if the corps are not selling direct as it is, this may come down to every corporation selling their car direct to consumer. vs,
only Tesla and the rest not, vs Tesla et al, all have middle men.
I really hate Apple, their stores, and their service. The place is like a god damned lounge for hipsters and preteens. I just wanna buy a damn
computer and it's like I'm walking through a 'showroom only' or it may as well be a wax museum.
So I don't know.
I like letting the market decide.
I can see the point of the auto makers, and the
bribed concerned politicians. Although, I'm rooting for Tesla.
But, this is what you have fellas, this is your evil suppression!
Yeah I know, so the entire workforce of Tesla wasn't wiped out with cyanide like you were all hoping, (so you could weld new metal hats to your
heads...) but yeah, evil-spooky-ooky suppression...
I think they'll survive.
edit on 21-5-2013 by boncho because: (no reason given)