North Carolina Republicans Trying to Ban Tesla Sales

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

And yet I always hear Republicans saying how they are the party of small government and free enterprise.

From the state that brought you the nation’s first ban on climate science comes another legislative gem: a bill that would prohibit automakers from selling their cars in the state.

The proposal, which the Raleigh News & Observer reports was unanimously approved by the state’s Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, would apply to all car manufacturers, but the intended target is clear. It’s aimed at Tesla, the only U.S. automaker whose business model relies on selling cars directly to consumers, rather than through a network of third-party dealerships.

The bill is being pushed by the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, a trade group representing the state’s franchised dealerships. Its sponsor is state Sen. Tom Apodaca, a Republican from Henderson, who has said the goal is to prevent unfair competition between manufacturers and dealers. What makes it “unfair competition” as opposed to plain-old “competition”—something Republicans are typically inclined to favor—is not entirely clear. After all, North Carolina doesn’t seem to have a problem with Apple selling its computers online or via its own Apple Stores.

North Carolina Tesla ban? Bill would prevent "unfair competition" with car dealerships.

 

[Lakhota]

CNN recently reported that Consumer Reports gave Tesla the highest car rating ever.

 

[EriktheRed]

It's one thing to root for their failure.

It's entirely another to try and play a part in it.

What are they afraid of, anyway? I thought the Tesla was already doomed.

 

[whitehall]

Who in North Carolina could afford 70 Grand to buy a silly little car that has to take a 6 hour nap every 250 miles?

 

[EriktheRed]

Who in North Carolina could afford 70 Grand to buy a silly little car that has to take a 6 hour nap every 250 miles?

Not exactly the point.

But you knew that, right?

 

[Katzndogz]

Tesla can sell cars in the state. They just have to abide by the same laws as everyone else.

 

[blackhawk]

Tesla can sell cars in the state. They just have to abide by the same laws as everyone else.

Oh well we can't have that it fly's in the face of the liberal version of free enterprise.

 

[nitroz]

And yet I always hear Republicans saying how they are the party of small government and free enterprise.

From the state that brought you the nation’s first ban on climate science comes another legislative gem: a bill that would prohibit automakers from selling their cars in the state.

The proposal, which the Raleigh News & Observer reports was unanimously approved by the state’s Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, would apply to all car manufacturers, but the intended target is clear. It’s aimed at Tesla, the only U.S. automaker whose business model relies on selling cars directly to consumers, rather than through a network of third-party dealerships.

The bill is being pushed by the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, a trade group representing the state’s franchised dealerships. Its sponsor is state Sen. Tom Apodaca, a Republican from Henderson, who has said the goal is to prevent unfair competition between manufacturers and dealers. What makes it “unfair competition” as opposed to plain-old “competition”—something Republicans are typically inclined to favor—is not entirely clear. After all, North Carolina doesn’t seem to have a problem with Apple selling its computers online or via its own Apple Stores.

North Carolina Tesla ban? Bill would prevent "unfair competition" with car dealerships.

... Only when it benefits them.

You can thank conservative run dealers unions for that. They want to force the middleman into the equation and make it required by law to do so. They want a piece of that pie, or $$$ in their pocket too.

Did you know that vehicles could be $2,000-$4,000+ less if we didn't have to deal with dealer bullshit?

 

[Political Junky]

Big Oil put a lot of money into North Carolina politicians' pockets, apparently.

 

[nitroz]

Tesla can sell cars in the state. They just have to abide by the same laws as everyone else.

Yeah... the "same laws".

You mean lobbied conservatism income?
The law is that you must hire a middleman (the auto dealers) to tell your vehicles through.

You aren't allowed to sell directly to consumer.

 

[Lakhota]

Who in North Carolina could afford 70 Grand to buy a silly little car that has to take a 6 hour nap every 250 miles?

6 hour nap every 250 miles? Where did that come from? CNN reported that driving from New York to D.C. only required Tesla to make one one-hour stop to recharge.

 

[TemplarKormac]

Good. I will watch with glee as their stock tanks this week. Anyone remember the Fiskar Karma?

Bahahahaha!

 

[Katzndogz]

No wonder tesla is bankrupt.

 

[Lakhota]

Tesla has a big future! Stock symbol: TSLA

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Tesla can sell cars in the state. They just have to abide by the same laws as everyone else.

It's not a law. They want to change the law to stop them from selling in the state, but you already knew that.

 

[nitroz]

Good. I will watch with glee as their stock tanks this week. Anyone remember the Fiskar Karma?

Bahahahaha!

And I'll watch you cry as they continue posting profits and continue to get top reviews from auto journalists/consumer reports.


The Fiskar Karma was garbage, which is why they suffered. Tesla is the highest consumer rated car out there. It was so great that Consumerreports bought one for MSRP.

 

[EriktheRed]

Tesla can sell cars in the state. They just have to abide by the same laws as everyone else.

Oh well we can't have that it fly's in the face of the liberal version of free enterprise.

What makes it “unfair competition” as opposed to plain-old “competition”—something Republicans are typically inclined to favor—is not entirely clear. After all, North Carolina doesn’t seem to have a problem with Apple selling its computers online or via its own Apple Stores.

.

 

[nitroz]

Big Oil put a lot of money into North Carolina politicians' pockets, apparently.

You know.... "small government" (Unregulated lobbying)

 

[Missourian]

It's not the governments job to protect one business model, or protect a business sector UNLESS it affects national security.

If middlemen get pushed out by direct marketing, that's unfortunate, but also unavoidable.

What have Republicans been saying for 5 years? "It's not the governments job to pick winners and losers!"

The Republican's in NC need a reminder that it's not state governments job either.

 

[AmazonTania]

Republicans are protectionist too. I am in complete and utter shock...

Not really.