A modest proposal.

[Hookemhorns]

The Texas legislature seems to be controlled by lobbyists <gasp> from the car dealers association who have successfully blocked Teslas from being sold there. I’m a proud Texan, but embarrassed by this situation. I am intrigued that Tesla is considering bringing billions of dollars to the economy of a state that treats them this way.

However, I don’t believe Tesla has the right to demand relief, using the threat of taking their business elsewhere.

My solution: Texas agrees to put on the next ballot a binding question for voters to decide if Tesla and others will be permitted to sell cars direct to the public without being required to use a dealership. Let the voters decide, not the lobbyists, not Tesla. What a concept.

 

[f205v]

You must be a seditious fellow Swiss! How dare you give voting power to the people!

 

[whitex]

My solution: Texas agrees to put on the next ballot a binding question for voters to decide if Tesla and others will be permitted to sell cars direct to the public without being required to use a dealership. Let the voters decide, not the lobbyists, not Tesla. What a concept.

Why should people even have the right to decide whether or not a particular company can sell something that doesn't affect them at all (other than potentially compete with them)? You don't like it, don't buy it. What right do you have to tell other people in your state that they cannot buy from some company you don't like? Should people of Texas have the right to decide that only F350 trucks will be allowed to be sold in Texas, and no other make or model vehicle? I'm not talking about what is allowed to drive on the roads, as that is a separate category or laws based on safety and environmental laws, but purely on what is allowed to be sold.

 

[Hookemhorns]

I couldn’t agree more with you! I find it funny that there is even a law telling companies they can’t sell cars unless they use a dealer. Like most laws, some special interest didn’t want to compete fairly in the market, but wanted the government to put up barriers to competition. Sadly the lawmakers bowed to those interests. So, working in the real world, I would like the citizens to have their say.

 

[Watts_Up]

The Texas legislature seems to be controlled by lobbyists <gasp> from the car dealers association who have successfully blocked Teslas from being sold there. I’m a proud Texan, but embarrassed by this situation.
I am intrigued that Tesla is considering bringing billions of dollars to the economy of a state that treats them this way.

“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.” – Sun Tzu

There was similar discussions before the building the Shanghai Tesla Gigafactory 3.

Tesla and China trade war: Elon Musk's belief China will outsell US gets a new test

 

[rooter]

A Modest Proposal For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick.

 

[JPoldo]

Didn't we hear Texas is wooing Tesla to build a plant near Austin, Texas? If yes, then wouldn't Tesla negotiate a deal that includes the sale of vehicles without dealerships? Sweeten the offer to Texas by building Cybertruck here because Texans !ove trucks. How much manufacturing could Tesla siphon from unfriendly, tax-laden California and move to Texas?

 

[Feathermerchan]

Supposedly, dealers were worried at one point that OEMs would start selling direct and so had the law passed. That's what the dealers said anyway.
Apparently Tesla is moving to Texas and so I expect this to be in the voters hands in the next legislative session.

 

[HankLloydRight]

? If yes, then wouldn't Tesla negotiate a deal that includes the sale of vehicles without dealerships

Yeah, it's a simple as this. Want our massive manufacturing plant and good jobs to come to Texas? Easy, abolish the law banning direct sales, and it's a done deal. And none of this "limited" locations BS either. Really stick it to the ICE dealer associations and show what Tesla can actually do for the state's economy.

 

[Feathermerchan]

That's a great idea. When does the Texas Legislature meet next?
Nov 3 2020
Can't wait till then.

 

[rooter]

In 1845 Texas, the only ways to travel were on foot or by horse, and you were likely to get rolled by bandits or attacked by Native American tribes. So the first Texas lawmakers weren’t eager to hit the road to Austin every year to handle state business.

They meet for 140 days every 2 years. But I believe it was Molly Ivans who once asked, "Are they sure it isn't '2 days every 140 years'?"

 

[CyberGus]

The origins of the laws requiring auto dealerships did have some consumer protections in mind. For instance, the warranty is worthless if there is no place nearby to have the work done.

However, the world has changed, and the laws need to reflect that. The Texas governor can call for an “emergency session” of the legislature for pretty much any reason. This law could be changed tomorrow if the political will existed.