"Trouble in Missouri"

[Bradleybang]

Bill sponsor Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer, R-Odessa, spoke with the News-Leader, explaining some of his rationale for the new provisions.
"You can't have two sets of rules for the same type of business or industry," Kolkmeyer said.

How about he looks at his own industry?... trucking.

How many different trucking types of organizations exist? Should all trucking firms be required to use an independent broker?

As for Mike Kehoe statement of "Our question as dealers and people I know in the business: how in the world when we've worked so hard to get franchise legislation, how in the world could that be possible?" Kehoe said.

It comes across as. "Hey, we bought and paid for these laws and legislatures."

 

[efusco]

My KOLR 10 news story is up. Share & tweet to your hearts' content Bill May Soon Ban Tesla's Direct Car Sales Model in Missouri - OzarksFirst.com

#savemotesla #missouritesla

 

[FlasherZ]

hmm...can we get a statement from the Post-Dispatch why they took it down? Peessure should exist from our side as well.

I left a voicemail for the author of the article, and sent an e-mail to him and the editors. I don't really expect a response, mostly because of the huge ads for dealerships I see on the front page. :-/

 

[dsm363]

I guess it won't appear in the print edition too or did someone capture the text of the online article?

 

[FlasherZ]

Re-posted or fixed, one of the two:

Electric car maker alleges 'sneak attack' in Missouri legislature by auto dealers : News

Author's response:

Hi. We don't pull stories for political pressure. This was filed early this morning, and I'm assuming it timed out (older stories gradually get replaced by newer ones ). I've asked the desk to adjust it so it comes back up, should be there shortly. There's also a more extensive story scheduled for tomorrow's paper and website.

 

[AlMc]

Re-posted or fixed, one of the two:

Electric car maker alleges 'sneak attack' in Missouri legislature by auto dealers : News

Author's response:

Nicely done. :wink: I am not a resident of MO but I posted a comment to 'The Ozark' as well.

 

[dsm363]

They are able to buy a legislator off for only $3,300 a year. Amazing.

 

[evme]

My KOLR 10 news story is up. Share & tweet to your hearts' content Bill May Soon Ban Tesla's Direct Car Sales Model in Missouri - OzarksFirst.com

#savemotesla #missouritesla

One thing that struck me was they said English (The other sponsor of the bill), would vote based on what the UAW says? Any particular reason why? And who would the UAW side with?

Re-posted or fixed, one of the two:

Electric car maker alleges 'sneak attack' in Missouri legislature by auto dealers : News

Author's response:

Awesome! Goes to show a little push goes a long way.

 

[RobStark]

And who would the UAW side with?

UAW members make cars sold at Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC-Buick Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, and Dodge dealers.

UAW members don't make Teslas.

 

[evme]

UAW members make cars sold at Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC-Buick Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, and Dodge dealers.

UAW members don't make Teslas.

Right, but they are trying to get Tesla employees to be part of the UAW. Obviously the employees are not going to bite but that would look bad for their prospects. Plus I can't imagine that UAW workers like dealers either.

 

[SCW-Greg]

You guys should stage a rally at your capital, and get the news crews to show. Offer test rides!

 

[Dutchie]

One of the arguments the dealers have is that their model is for the best intrest of the consumer. There is more competition, easier access to warranty work etc.

I read a comment which I think was spot-on.
If the dealers think that their model is the best for consumers, then why are they fighting Tesla? Why don't they let Tesla do their thing? if the dealers are so convinced of their superior model then their model would prevail and Tesla would suffer the consequences in choosing the inferiour model...

 

[bluefuego]

Kolkmeyer's page went private - they removed the ability to comment and removed the ability to post to his page... There were great reasoned comments there, links to the FTC paper, etc. Looks like he's feeling the wrath, but responding like a stereotypical politician -- catering to the hand that feeds him but ignoring 90% of the voters that put him in office.

Yup - all comments are gone. :-( I have emailed him privately the same rational comment and tweeted some slightly harsher words. At least Rep. John Diehl, Jr.'s page still shows my comments (he is my local rep and represents a fairly affluent area of St. Louis County).

 

[evme]

One of the arguments the dealers have is that their model is for the best intrest of the consumer. There is more competition, easier access to warranty work etc.

I read a comment which I think was spot-on.
If the dealers think that their model is the best for consumers, then why are they fighting Tesla? Why don't they let Tesla do their thing? if the dealers are so convinced of their superior model then their model would prevail and Tesla would suffer the consequences in choosing the inferiour model...

Actually, their argument was killed immediately even before all this started, here is why.


Mike Kehoe wrote this to the Missouri Department of Revenue:

6) The public policy of the Missouri Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act includes this statement: "It is further declared to be the policy of the state to protect the public interest in the purchase and trade of motor vehicles so as to ensure protection against irresponsible vendors and dishonest or fraudulent sales practices and to assit, provide, and secure a stable, efficient, enforceable, and verifiable method for distribution of motor behicles to consumers in the state" (Section 407.811, RSMo. Supp. 2013). Does the Department of Revenue believe that the issuance of a new motor vehicle dealer's license to Tesla Motor's Inc, given its business model which is clearly designated to circumvent the traditional franchise model for distribution and sale of new motor vehicles, furthers the poblic policy as expressed by the Legislature in Section 407.811, RSMo?

To which John R. Mollenkamp responded:

As to whether the treatment of this particular seller is in line with Missouri's public policy of protecting consumers, sellers are subject to regulation under the provisions of Chapter 301, RSMo and other laws protecting consumers.

So their argument was already stuck down.

 

[Liz G]

I am technically a Kansas resident but I went ahead and contacted two major TV stations in the KC area to see if they have an interest in running the story. Let me know what time the get together in Jeff City is in case I can make it!

We will be meeting in Jeff City around 9 am. Exact meeting spot not yet decided. Watch the thread under the Midwest forum for details.

UPDATE: There has been a change in plans.
We will meet in Jeff City at noon.
We will not know until Monday morning exactly where we will be meeting. Will post once we do.

 

[Zythryn]

Kolkmeyer's page went private - they removed the ability to comment and removed the ability to post to his page... There were great reasoned comments there, links to the FTC paper, etc. Looks like he's feeling the wrath, but responding like a stereotypical politician -- catering to the hand that feeds him but ignoring 90% of the voters that put him in office.

- - - Updated - - -

Looks like the political pressure is heating up - the Post-Dispatch (St. Louis paper) pulled its article, presumably it has something to do with the dealership ads that litter its front pages.

I think a great story/tweet here is how a senator's Facebook was closed so he didn't have to hear the opinions of his constituents!.

Awesome job everyone. We had a similar fight last spring in Minnesota although with much more warning.

Good luck!

 

[Liz G]

Well, I think the reporter got the gist of what I was trying to say about how dealers can't truly sell Teslas when their also selling gas cars. Anyways, here's the updated story.

Electric car maker alleges 'sneak attack' in Missouri legislature by auto dealers : News

And another one from a blanket email I sent out to the news reporters who had done previous stories on this bill.
Tesla Motors hires brigade of lobbyists in battle with Missouri auto dealers | PoliticMo

Still need to figure out how to put some pressure on the local TV news to get them to cover this, it's at the bottom. Not a peep yet, though getting the Post Dispatch was great. But not as far reaching as getting a TV station in St. Louis. At least efusco got some TV coverage for us in Missouri.

Maybe we will get lucky and the national news will pick up on this, though Missouri politics may not be a big a draw as Cristi.

 

[SebastianR]

It's really funny (and also very very sad) to see how all these "free market capitalists" invent protectionist moves to keep one of the most hated types of business (car dealers) alive.

Why does no news outlet ask how it can be that Tesla faces no issues selling their cars directly in "communist" China or any "socialist" European country yet it gets in trouble in the US regularly... Irony much?

 

[Cosmacelf]

Both political parties favor their favored businesses or constituencies with anti market laws. The republican brand is supposed to include free market capitalism so this is rank hypocrisy. Kinda like democrats being pro education and voting against school choice.

 

[v12 to 12v]

It looks like the legislation could go beyond Tesla sales and impact the installation of Superchargers. Check out the post by Sudre_ at TM and consider how the word "entice" could be interpreted.

Dealer Sneak Attack in Missouri | Forums | Tesla Motors