Texas Auto Dealer Writes Op-Ed Opposing Direct Sales

[Curt Renz]

Here is an article written by a Texas auto dealer and NADA board member that was published this afternoon in the Houston Business Journal titled Op-ed: Sorry, Tesla, special exceptions are anti-Texan

 

[mwulff]

But a free market is not something the Texans deserve. Look at the dinosaur howl in rage against the inevitable.

 

[snellenr]

Here is an article written by a Texas auto dealer and NADA board member that was published this afternoon in the Houston Business Journal titled Op-ed: Sorry, Tesla, special exceptions are anti-Texan

"Okay, then give up your 80-year-old 'special' franchise laws and do business under the standard/modern contract and consumer protection legal framework"

*or*

 

[bollar]

Note the poll at the end of the article -- 90+ percent are in favor of auto manufacturers selling directly to consumers. Pretty much what every poll says.

 

[Jeffgtx]

This is essentially what this oped says.

Tesla does not deserve a special exemption from our special exemption.

disheartening.

 

[aznt1217]

I don't even understand what I just read. Oh thats right... Because it doesn't make sense

 

[deonb]

Where did they pull this from?

"Taking into account the drop in Tesla sales from 2013 to 2014, Tesla would benefit ..."

 

[reddy]

I just voted in the poll, and it's reading 93% pro-Tesla.

The article reminded me a high school debate where one side was assigned an impossible argument, and they make futile attempts to bolster their side.

But it's gotta be hard on TADA that they lose these polls by such a large margin.

And even more amazing that despite polls like this the Texas legislature could still scuttle the bill and let TADA win.

 

[EVenthusiast]

General Motors, for instance, builds over 350,000 vehicles in Arlington and is considering a $1.2 billion expansion. Toyota builds over 230,000 vehicles in San Antonio and recently announced the move of its North American headquarters here to Texas. Companies come to Texas to do business.

I like that example, considering Tesla purchased the NUMMI building, which was operated by GM & Toyota.

Then the ending of the article looks just great:

Whatever the free market demands, dealers want to sell. That is in our best interest. We should not allow a California corporation to come in and demand to be treated different than any other company. That is not free market, not how business works and not in the best interest of Texans.


Carrol Smith is owner of Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena and Texas representative on the National Automobile Dealers Association board in Washington, D.C.

and that's how free market works . So much BS in this article, there's more than enough to fill up the Toyota Mirai.

 

[dsm363]

Dell wouldn't exist if franchise laws applied to other products like computers. Austin wouldn't be the same without Dell.

 

[TexasEV]

The same op-ed is in the Austin Business Journal today along with a poll:
Tesla wants to sell cars direct in Texas, but shouldn't be allowed to, Chevrolet Momentum owner says - Austin Business Journal
You know what to do.

 

[Deep Purple]

"It's a free market: Follow our rules"

I hate it.