Tesla Sales Banned in New Jersey... hopefully not for long!

[yobigd20]

4 is probably more than enough for NJ, at least for now. Especially since it ultimately comes down to you buying your car online. The stores are practically just there for education/test drive purposes... which makes it more of an advertising venue than anything. The only critical piece that is needed, is the test drive portion. Which really they could continue to do "traveling test drive" events like they have been, for exactly that purpose.

they need a store in south jersey. like cherry hill area. king of prussia PA and the stores in north jersey are too far. everybody keeps asking me where the closest stores are around here but those other locations are way too far.

 

[AlMc]

they need a store in south jersey. like cherry hill area. king of prussia PA and the stores in north jersey are too far. everybody keeps asking me where the closest stores are around here but those other locations are way too far.

Would Christiana Mall area in Delaware work? 5 minutes from the Delaware SC and at the junction of 95 and Rt 1

 

[rlang59]

they need a store in south jersey. like cherry hill area. king of prussia PA and the stores in north jersey are too far. everybody keeps asking me where the closest stores are around here but those other locations are way too far.

Can't imagine they haven't looked at putting one in the Cherry Hill Mall. Perfect place for one.

- - - Updated - - -

Would Christiana Mall area in Delaware work? 5 minutes from the Delaware SC and at the junction of 95 and Rt 1

No, that's still too far away, may as well just go to King of Prussia at that point.

 

[NJ Plugin]

I don't think this has been mentioned...

The NJ Senate will go on summer break at the end of June, until September. Before they go on break, the Senate need to take care on the budget, and that is a priority. Yesterday at the event, I spoke to a few of Tesla's lobbyists, and they basically said it is a toss up IF this bill would be introduced before the end of the month break.

 

[AlMc]

I don't think this has been mentioned...

The NJ Senate will go on summer break at the end of June, until September. Before they go on break, the Senate need to take care on the budget, and that is a priority. Yesterday at the event, I spoke to a few of Tesla's lobbyists, and they basically said it is a toss up IF this bill would be introduced before the end of the month break.

This is why, despite my joy over assembly passage, I indicated we should not be too optimistic that the NJ fight for at least unlimited sales through four sites. The auto dealerships/reps are still in a position to influence enough senators, particularly the senate leadership that could delay the bill while they 'study' it. All pols are like this to a certain degree, but NJ pols excel at this type of crap.

 

[chickensevil]

they need a store in south jersey. like cherry hill area. king of prussia PA and the stores in north jersey are too far. everybody keeps asking me where the closest stores are around here but those other locations are way too far.

Unless I am missing something, by my count there is only 2 stores currently in Jersey. So they would be smart to spread them out across the state at this point if they only get 4. This way people don't have to drive so far to find them. But Jersey is a relatively small state. If VA was limited to only 4 sites I would be a bit more worried. Heck, we are still trying to get clearance to put in our first REAL store (our gallery can't talk price or even do test drives). Keep in mind that Jersey has only slightly more people living in the state than does VA but are confined to a MUCH smaller area (8.8M vs 8.1M), So I think for the size of the state 4 should be plenty for now and I am sure the laws will be changed further when we hit that point where they need more than 4. Besides that would mean another political fight, which means more media exposure, which means more free advertising for Tesla!

 

[yobigd20]

Unless I am missing something, by my count there is only 2 stores currently in Jersey. So they would be smart to spread them out across the state at this point if they only get 4. This way people don't have to drive so far to find them. But Jersey is a relatively small state. If VA was limited to only 4 sites I would be a bit more worried. Heck, we are still trying to get clearance to put in our first REAL store (our gallery can't talk price or even do test drives). Keep in mind that Jersey has only slightly more people living in the state than does VA but are confined to a MUCH smaller area (8.8M vs 8.1M), So I think for the size of the state 4 should be plenty for now and I am sure the laws will be changed further when we hit that point where they need more than 4. Besides that would mean another political fight, which means more media exposure, which means more free advertising for Tesla!

I thought the verbal was "4 places of operation" which would include service center. So technically they have 3 already, and only can have 1 more store or 1 more service center. I could be wrong in my understanding of the terms though.

 

[RobStark]

I thought the verbal was "4 places of operation" which would include service center. So technically they have 3 already, and only can have 1 more store or 1 more service center. I could be wrong in my understanding of the terms though.

Tesla gets a maximum of 4 places of operations/stores and they must have a MINIMUM of 1 service center.

 

[yobigd20]

Tesla gets a maximum of 4 places of operations/stores and they must have a MINIMUM of 1 service center.

Right. The confusing part of that is if they have 4 service centers does that mean they can have max 0 stores? In other words do service centers count as a place of operation?

 

[AlMc]

Right. The confusing part of that is if they have 4 service centers does that mean they can have max 0 stores? In other words do service centers count as a place of operation?

If there is some ambiguity, TM can do what they did at the new Devon, PA location and have a 'gallery' (point of sales/test drives) and SC all under the same roof.

The way I personally interpreted the bill was that they were allowed four places to 'sell/display' the cars and must have 'at least' one SC.

 

[RobStark]

Right. The confusing part of that is if they have 4 service centers does that mean they can have max 0 stores? In other words do service centers count as a place of operation?

Service centers do not require dealer's license. A service center,for the purpose of this law, does not count as a "place of operation(dealing/selling cars)."

 

[NJ Plugin]

The PR person for Tesla's NJ Lobby firm sent me the links to all the articles written about Monday's press conference/vote, a lot of good press.


TRENTONIAN New Jersey lawmakers to vote on Tesla sales
http://www.trentonian.com/general-news/20140616/new-jersey-lawmakers-to-vote-on-tesla-sale s

ASBURY PARK PRESS Assembly OKs Tesla sales in NJ; now what about Senate?
http://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2014/06/16/nj-tesla-sales/10571333/


NJIZ Assembly passes bill that would keep Tesla operating in N.J.
http://www.njbiz.com/article/20140616/NJBIZ01/140619785/Assembly-passes-bill-that-would-ke ep-Tesla-operating-in-NJ


STAR LEDGER Bill to allow direct Tesla sales in NJ makes progress
[url]http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/06/bill_to_allow_direct_tesla_sales_in_nj_makes_ progress.html[/URL]


DAILY RECORD NJ lawmakers to vote today on allowing Tesla sales
[url]http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2014/06/16/nj-lawmakers-vote-today- allowing-tesla-sales/10573475/[/URL]


BERGEN RECORD N.J. bill advances allowing Tesla direct-to-consumer sales
http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/bill-advances-allowing-tesla-direct-to-consumer-s ales-1.1036217#sthash.rLdQWrBj.dpuf


PHILLY MAG Bill Would Let Tesla Sell Direct to New Jersey Buyers
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2014/06/17/bill-let-tesla-sell-direct-new-jersey-buyers/


PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Assembly OKs direct Tesla sales in N.J.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20140617_Assembly_OKs_direct_Tesla_sales_in_N_J_.h tml#FJ17bSlJuG2GBJ0z.99

NBC10 (PHILLY) New Jersey Lawmakers to Vote on Tesla Sales
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Tesa-Sales-New-Jersey-Bill-Franchises-NJ-Assembl y-263286391.html


BUSINESS INSIDER New Jersey Assembly Passes Bill To Allow Tesla Sales
http://www.businessinsider.com/new-jersey-tesla-sales-2014-6#ixzz34uP88KSH


HUFFINGTON POST / ASSOCIATED PRESS New Jersey May Lift Ban On Tesla Sales
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/17/new-jersey-tesla-sales_n_5502626.html?utm_hp_ref= business


MSN Tesla vote moves to NJ Senate
http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20140617&id=17705898

BLOOMBERG New Jersey Assembly Approves Bill to Allow Tesla Sales
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-06-17/new-jersey-assemply-approves-bill-to-allow-tes la-sales


CONSUMERIST New Jersey Assembly Passes Bill That Would Allow Sale Of Tesla Vehicles
[url]http://consumerist.com/2014/06/17/new-jersey-assembly-passes-bill-that-would-allow-sale-of -tesla-vehicles/[/URL]


PC MAGAZINE NJ Lawmakers Move Bill to Allow Tesla Direct Sales
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2459614,00.asp


AUTOMOTIVE NEWS N.J. Assembly OKs bill to allow Tesla direct sales
[url]http://www.autonews.com/article/20140617/RETAIL/140619882/n-j-assembly-oks-bill-to-allow-t esla-direct-sales[/URL]


SILICON VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL Tesla sales bill passes one hurdle in New Jersey
[url]http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/06/17/tesla-sales-bill-passes-one-hurdle-in-n ew-jersey.html[/URL]


PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL New Jersey Assembly passes bill allowing Tesla sales, now goes to Senate
http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/morning_roundup/2014/06/new-jersey-assembly-passes -bill-allowing-tesla.html

PHILADELPHIA Bill Would Let Tesla Sell Direct to New Jersey Buyers
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2014/06/17/bill-let-tesla-sell-direct-new-jersey-buyers/


NEWSDAY Tesla Motors a step closer to direct car sales in New Jersey
[url]http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/cars/tesla-a-step-closer-to-direct-sales-in-new-jersey- 1.8486657[/URL]


WSJ New Jersey Assembly Passes Bill Allowing Tesla Sales
http://online.wsj.com/articles/new-jersey-assembly-passes-bill-allowing-tesla-sales-140302 1781

WSJ MONEY BEAT Tesla Clears a Hurdle in New Jersey Fight; Shares Jump
[url]http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2014/06/17/tesla-clears-hurdle-in-new-jersey-fight-shares-j ump/[/URL]


BARRONS Tesla Motors: The Light at the End of the Tunnel
[url]http://blogs.barrons.com/stockstowatchtoday/2014/06/17/tesla-motors-the-light-at-the-end-o f-the-tunnel-in-new-jersey/[/URL]


THE STREET How Tesla Is Winning the War Against New Jersey
http://www.thestreet.com/story/12747001/1/how-tesla-is-winning-the-war-against-new-jersey. html


THE STREET How to Trade on Tesla's Win Against Auto Dealerships: StockTwits
[url]http://www.thestreet.com/story/12747326/1/how-to-trade-on-teslas-win-against-auto-dealersh ips-stocktwits.html[/URL]


BLOOMBERG New Jersey Assembly Approves Bill to Allow Tesla Sales
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-17/new-jersey-assemply-approves-bill-to-allow-tesla- sales.html


BLOOMBERG Tesla Pushes N.J. Direct-Sales Bill to Follow Cuomo Lead
[url]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-18/tesla-pushes-n-j-direct-sales-bill-to-follow-cuom o-lead.html[/URL]


MARKET WATCH New Jersey passes bill allowing Tesla sales
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-jersey-passes-bill-allowing-tesla-sales-2014-06-17?re flink=MW_news_stmp


BUSINESS ETC New Jersey To Allow Direct Sales Of Electric Cars; Tesla Motors’ Prospects Widen
http://www.bidnessetc.com/22102-new-jersey-to-allow-direct-sales-of-electric-cars-tesla-mo tors-prospects-wi/


STREET INSIDER Tesla Motors (TSLA) Will Be Allowed to Open Two New Stores in NJ By Year-End, Says Wedbush
http://www.streetinsider.com/Analyst+Comments/Tesla+Motors+(TSLA)+Will+ ;Be+Allowed+to+Open+Two+New+Stores+in+NJ+By+Year-E nd,+Says+Wedbush/9589691.html

MOTLEY FOOL Tesla Motors, Inc. Makes Big Progress in Dealer Fight
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/06/17/tesla-motors-inc-makes-big-progress-in-de aler-figh.aspx



ENGADGET New York law lets Tesla continue direct car sales
http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/16/new-york-law-lets-tesla-continue-direct-car-sales/


TECH TIMES NJ relents. Assembly allows Tesla to sell electric cars directly to consumers
[url]http://www.techtimes.com/articles/8671/20140618/nj-relents-assembly-allows-tesla-to-sell-e lectric-cars-directly-to-consumers.htm[/URL]


SILICON VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL Tesla sales bill passes one hurdle in New Jersey
[url]http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/06/17/tesla-sales-bill-passes-one-hurdle-in-n ew-jersey.html[/URL]


LA TIMES Tesla Model X on track to ship; carmaker is winning N.J. dealer fight
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-tesla-modelx-dealer-new-jersey-20140617-sto ry.html


YAHOO! Why Tesla is running over the bears
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/why-tesla-is-running-over-the-bears-123319427.html

TRANSPORT EVOLVED New Jersey Assembly Unanimously Passes Bill to Reverse Anti-Tesla Legislation, Senate Still to Vote
http://transportevolved.com/2014/06/16/new-jersey-passes-bill-reverse-anti-tesla-legislati on-allows-direct-customer-sales/

AUTOWORLD NEWS NEW JERSEY WANTS TESLA BACK; ASSEMBLY MOVES BILL FOR DIRECT SALES
http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/7864/20140617/new-jersey-wants-tesla-back-assembly-a pproves-pro-tesla-bill.htm


DAILY BEAST Tesla Notches Two Wins for Direct Sales
[url]http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2014/06/17/nj-assembly-approves-tesla-direct-sales.htm l[/URL]


THE DETROIT NEWS Auto dealers defend state franchise laws amid Tesla push
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140617/AUTO01/306170128#ixzz350BwO9iS

 

[mpt]

Awesome! We (NJ) have been nominated for an award - this years Luddite award... Michigan, Arizona, New Jersey and Texas Named as Finalists for 2014 Luddite Awards - Transport Evolved: Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Smarter

 

[flankspeed8]

we are in a sorry state of affairs where certain people do not have the freedom to purchase a legal motor vehicle (certified by USDOT, exceeds all safety requirements, etc) because of anti-competitive tactics engaged by a few states. Why have all of the presidents regulations directed at getting more EV and alternative fuel vehicles not addressed these bogus barriers that some states have put up? I am guessing there is a constitutional issue (interstate commerce?) at heart, but lets be honest, that has not slowed him down in other areas.

 

[snellenr]

Awesome! We (NJ) have been nominated for an award - this years Luddite award... Michigan, Arizona, New Jersey and Texas Named as Finalists for 2014 Luddite Awards - Transport Evolved: Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Smarter

How on earth did Iowa miss being on this list?

At least the Texas law doesn't prevent service centers from opening up like Michigan's restriction does, and is mostly just annoying and inconvenient to buyers...

 

[RobStark]

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/legislation_to_allow_tesla_to_restart_sales_in_nj.html

TRENTON — Stalled since summer, legislation that would allow electric carmaker Tesla to restart sales at its New Jersey showrooms appears to have some gas in it — even if the company's cars don't.

The state Senate's Commerce Committee this afternoon plans to take up the bill (S2908), which was written in response to the state Motor Vehicles Commission's March 2014 decision to stop allowing the company to sell directly to customers at its two New Jersey showrooms, citing a state law on the books since the 1970s that requires cars to be sold through dealerships.

The bill would allow manufacturers of zero emission vehicles — i.e., Tesla — to set up as many as four retail locations in New Jersey where they can sell to customers

 

[palmer_md]

Depending on the exact wording this may allow GM to open a showroom to sell their Bolt directly to customers. If that happens then the dealers big fight to protect themselves will have done exactly as many have thought, and backfired and only expedited the removal of these protections. They should have left Tesla alone since they were not a threat to their position.

 

[Teslawisher]

Tesla isn't a threat "NOW". But, they see the writing on the wall...

 

[RobStark]

N.J. Senate committee backs Tesla Motors bill

http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/n-j-senate-committee-backs-tesla-motors-bill-1.1285465

The wording on the bill will not allow GM to setup a subsidiary for direct Bolt sales.

They are even tightening the language to prevent a Chinese or an Indian EV company from selling direct.

At the end of the day the wording will be in such a way that only Tesla could qualify for the exemption.

 

[NJ Plugin]

Here is the Press Release sent out today.

GREENWALD, EUSTACE, MORIARTY, LAMPITT & MCKEON BILL TO STRENGTHEN
AUTO INDUSTRY & KEEP TESLA IN NEW JERSEY ADVANCED BY SENATE PANEL

(TRENTON) – Assembly approved legislation New Jersey Assembly Democrats Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, Timothy Eustace, Paul Moriarty and Pamela Lampitt sponsored to permit certain zero emission vehicle manufacturers to directly sell motor vehicles to consumers and require them to operate service facilities was advanced Monday by the Senate Commerce Committee.

The bill (A3216) would keep Tesla in operation in New Jersey. Under a Motor Vehicle Commission decision, automobiles must be sold through franchises.

Under the legislation, which was approved by the Assembly in June, Tesla will be allowed to sell directly to consumers at up to four licensed locations in New Jersey. Manufacturers engaging in direct sales would also be required to operate at least one retail facility in the state for vehicle service, thus addressing public safety and consumer protection concerns.

"Tesla is an innovative company that has produced a top-rated, environmentally conscious product," said Greenwald (D-Camden / Burlington). "Their commitment to innovation, job-creation and customer satisfaction is precisely the kind of entrepreneurial spirit we should be encouraging in New Jersey. Unfortunately, the Motor Vehicle Commission's decision threatened to hamstring those efforts."

"As an electric car driver, I'm honored to be part of this effort to find solutions to keep a state-of-the-art product and the future of the auto manufacturing industry right here in New Jersey," said Eustace (D-Bergen, Passaic). "This legislation will incentivize entrepreneurship, create jobs, promote environmental protection and address the important concerns of consumers in our state."

"We need New Jersey to be at forefront of advancing technology if we want to put ourselves into position for strong economic development and job creation, and we also need to promote clean energy and the health benefits it brings to our residents," said Moriarty (D-Gloucester, Camden). "This bill ensures New Jersey will not be left behind."

"It makes no sense to keep innovative companies out of New Jersey," said Lampitt (D-Camden, Burlington). "New Jersey needs to promote innovation, economic development and job creation, not stand in the way. This bill reverses course and does the right thing for our state."

"We need to support innovation and clean energy," said McKeon (D-Essex, Morris). "New Jersey must be on the forefront of alternative energy industries or else we risk being left behind, and that would be bad for our economy and our environment."

The bill amends current law to allow any ZEV manufacturer to directly or indirectly buy from and directly sell, offer to sell, or deal to a consumer a ZEV if the manufacturer was licensed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) on or prior to January 1, 2014.

This bill provides that ZEVs may be directly sold by certain manufacturers, like Tesla Motors, and preempts any rule or regulation that restricts sales exclusively to franchised dealerships.

The provisions of the bill would not prevent a licensed franchisor from operating under an existing license issued by the MVC.

The bill additionally requires manufacturers and franchisees to annually report to the Division of Taxation the number of ZEVs sold in the State each calendar year. Under current law, these vehicles are exempt from the state's sales and use tax.

"We have come together around a compromise solution — which will strengthen our auto industry, promote innovation and keep Tesla in our state," Greenwald said. "This bill is a win-win for New Jersey consumers."