 |
|
 |
| - Free Speech, No Spam! - |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
05-13-2013, 07:34 PM
|
#1
|
|
Literotica Guru
KingOrfeo is offline
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,243
|
North Carolina to ban the Tesla?!
Apparently some are trying.
Quote:
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.
Still, it’s easy to understand why some car dealers might feel a little threatened: Tesla’s Model S outsold the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 last quarter without any help from them. If its business model were to catch on, consumers might find that they don’t need the middle-men as much as they thought.
Incidentally—not that he would be in any way swayed by this—I couldn’t help but notice that Apodaca received $8,000 in campaign contributions from the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association last year, the maximum amount allowed by state law. I’ve reached out to the senator for further comment and will update this post if he replies.
Tesla’s vice president of corporate and business development, Diarmuid O'Connell, told me he’s hopeful that the state legislature will amend the bill so that it doesn’t prohibit Tesla from doing business there. He said the company has already sold 80 cars in North Carolina, mostly through the Web, and has about 60 more orders in the works. It also has plans to build its first showroom in the state next year. The Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle in particular appears to be a hotbed of Tesla interest, O'Connell said, which makes sense given its similarities to Silicon Valley.
In its current form, North Carolina’s bill would be the harshest of a handful of anti-Tesla regulations around the country. In Texas, the company is fighting a law under which the employees of its “showroom” in Austin are not allowed to sell any vehicles, offer test drives, or even tell customers how much the car costs. But at least Texas still lets people buy the car online, which North Carolina’s law would prohibit.
Tesla’s O’Connell rejects the idea that laws prohibiting automakers from selling their cars are designed to protect consumers, as trade groups like the North Carolina dealers’ association claim. He says the franchise-dealer model might work fine for giant automakers, but not for a startup like Tesla—especially since Tesla’s products represent a challenge to the traditional auto industry on which dealerships rely. “How do you sell the future if your business depends on the present?” he asked.
Robert Glaser, president of the dealers association, told the News & Observer that the law prohibiting Tesla sales isn’t just about his industry’s self-interest. Pointing to the Tesla representatives at a recent hearing, he said, “You tell me they’re gonna support the little leagues and the YMCA?”
If that’s the real issue, then I may have some good news for all concerned: I asked O’Connell, and he assured me Tesla would be happy to support the little leagues and the YMCA if that’s what North Carolina requires in order to do business there. Problem solved! Right, Mr. Glaser?
|
__________________
IX. The Courtyard
It was the city I had known before;
The ancient, leprous town where mongrel throngs
Chant to strange gods, and beat unhallowed gongs
In crypts beneath foul alleys near the shore.
The rotting, fish-eyed houses leered at me
From where they leaned, drunk and half-animate,
As edging through the filth I passed the gate
To the black courtyard where the man would be.
The dark walls closed me in, and loud I cursed
That ever I had come to such a den,
When suddenly a score of windows burst
Into wild light, and swarmed with dancing men:
Mad, soundless revels of the dragging dead—
And not a corpse had either hands or head!
-- Fungi from Yuggoth, by H.P. Lovecraft
|
|
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 07:36 PM
|
#2
|
|
Literotica Guru
KingOrfeo is offline
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,243
|
This is really the weird part, though:
Quote:
|
In its current form, North Carolina’s bill would be the harshest of a handful of anti-Tesla regulations around the country. In Texas, the company is fighting a law under which the employees of its “showroom” in Austin are not allowed to sell any vehicles, offer test drives, or even tell customers how much the car costs. But at least Texas still lets people buy the car online, which North Carolina’s law would prohibit.
|
So, if Texas' anti-Tesla agenda is not about the auto-dealerships, then what is it about?!
__________________
IX. The Courtyard
It was the city I had known before;
The ancient, leprous town where mongrel throngs
Chant to strange gods, and beat unhallowed gongs
In crypts beneath foul alleys near the shore.
The rotting, fish-eyed houses leered at me
From where they leaned, drunk and half-animate,
As edging through the filth I passed the gate
To the black courtyard where the man would be.
The dark walls closed me in, and loud I cursed
That ever I had come to such a den,
When suddenly a score of windows burst
Into wild light, and swarmed with dancing men:
Mad, soundless revels of the dragging dead—
And not a corpse had either hands or head!
-- Fungi from Yuggoth, by H.P. Lovecraft
|
|
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 07:36 PM
|
#3
|
|
worship me
pointless is offline
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: fuck you. i am smiling.
Posts: 36,890
|
they're probably just worried about the death ray.
|
|
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 07:38 PM
|
#4
|
|
Literotica Guru
KingOrfeo is offline
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,243
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by pointless
they're probably just worried about the death ray.
|
Oh, that . . .
__________________
IX. The Courtyard
It was the city I had known before;
The ancient, leprous town where mongrel throngs
Chant to strange gods, and beat unhallowed gongs
In crypts beneath foul alleys near the shore.
The rotting, fish-eyed houses leered at me
From where they leaned, drunk and half-animate,
As edging through the filth I passed the gate
To the black courtyard where the man would be.
The dark walls closed me in, and loud I cursed
That ever I had come to such a den,
When suddenly a score of windows burst
Into wild light, and swarmed with dancing men:
Mad, soundless revels of the dragging dead—
And not a corpse had either hands or head!
-- Fungi from Yuggoth, by H.P. Lovecraft
|
|
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 07:38 PM
|
#5
|
|
Really Experienced
M. Jordan is offline
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 124
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by pointless
they're probably just worried about the death ray.
|
I read that they are waiting for the coal burning version.
__________________
MJ 57
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 03:16 PM
|
#6
|
|
Experienced
CeasarBoobage is offline
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: nekkid on the back porch
Posts: 80
|
And who says we don't have the best politicians money can buy?
Oh wait, they are just acting in the best interests of their voters. It just happens to be a coincidence that the dealership association gave them lots of money.
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 03:21 PM
|
#7
|
|
Hazy Horticulture
BotanyBoy is offline
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,036
|
"FREEDOM!! LIBERTY!!! BAN EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE I DON'T LIKE, IN JESUS'S NAME WE PRAY!! AMEN!!"
Conservatives  .....what a bunch of hypocritical shit bags.
__________________
"Angel of the Lord, what are these tortured screams?"
And the angel said unto me,
"These are the cries of the carrots,
The cries of the carrots.
You see, reverend Maynard, tomorrow is harvest day
And to them it is the holocaust."
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 03:30 PM
|
#8
|
|
Cantaloupe Yeti
Wrong Element is offline
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Posts: 15,697
|
Auto dealers are a uniformly pro-Republican interest group.
I don't see this getting very far, but I am enjoying the hypocrisy in the meantime.
__________________
This is where, were I a complete tool, I would post some quote from another Litster about what a brilliant guy I am.
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 03:36 PM
|
#9
|
|
I am a river to my people
bronzeage is online now
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Deep South, USA
Posts: 44,728
|
Never underestimate the political power of a states New Car Dealer Association.
If a manufacturer was determined to create a corporate sales structure, complete with showrooms and service departments, I can't imagine a better way to generate millions of dollars in free advertising. Everything Tesla does in Texas and North Carolina will now be a new event.
It's not too surprising. An automotive dealership is one of the few remaining businesses where a truly stupid man can be successful.
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 04:16 PM
|
#10
|
|
WASP MASTER OF AMERICA.
JAMESBJOHNSON is online now
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BAD SIDE OF TOWN
Posts: 30,447
|
I expect Tesla can open 'dealerships'. Plenty of them are all over the place.
__________________
DONT MAKE ME LAUGH! THIS IS AMERICA. IN AMERICA YOURE ON YOUR OWN. Jackie Cogan
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 04:35 PM
|
#11
|
|
assking for it
warrior queen is offline
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: upside down
Posts: 25,025
|
Even though this legislation is aimed at cars, if it goes ahead it will set a dangerous precedent for all direct sales.
__________________
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end."
- unknown
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 04:37 PM
|
#12
|
|
Hazy Horticulture
BotanyBoy is offline
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,036
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by warrior queen
Even though this legislation is aimed at cars, if it goes ahead it will set a dangerous precedent for all direct sales.
|
What could possibly be wrong with legislating away the competition? Don't you believe in a free market system?? Capitalism!!!
Or are you a socialist......
__________________
"Angel of the Lord, what are these tortured screams?"
And the angel said unto me,
"These are the cries of the carrots,
The cries of the carrots.
You see, reverend Maynard, tomorrow is harvest day
And to them it is the holocaust."
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 04:39 PM
|
#13
|
|
assking for it
warrior queen is offline
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: upside down
Posts: 25,025
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BotanyBoy
What could possibly be wrong with legislating away the competition? Don't you believe in a free market system?? Capitalism!!!
Or are you a socialist......
|
Actually, I'm a consumer.
__________________
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end."
- unknown
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 04:47 PM
|
#14
|
|
I am a river to my people
bronzeage is online now
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Deep South, USA
Posts: 44,728
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by warrior queen
Even though this legislation is aimed at cars, if it goes ahead it will set a dangerous precedent for all direct sales.
|
In the US, car dealerships have always held a sacred cow status among businesses. This is mostly because state laws set the regulations for franchise contracts. For the most part, manufacturers have been content to go along with it, because they can retain a tremendous amount of control over the dealer. A manufacturer is limited by law as to how many franchises it can award in a specific market, so a dealer does not have to worry about competition from across the street. When things are good, a lot of money is made. When things go bad, the money drains away just as fast as it came in.
The last manufacturer to try this idea was American Motors and their Eagle Division. They actually had showrooms built and ready to open when the corporation went under for the last time.
It has nothing to do with green cars or alternative energy.
This is simply another case of conservatives demanding government regulation to protect their vested interests. |
|
|
|
|
Today, 04:50 PM
|
#15
|
|
Hazy Horticulture
BotanyBoy is offline
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,036
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by warrior queen
Actually, I'm a consumer.
|
IMPOSSIBLE YOUR WITH US OR AGAINST US!!
NOW ARE YOU GOING TO BE A GOOD CONSERVATIVE AND BAN THIS PRODUCT TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FREEDOM, CAPITALISM, FREE MARKET, LIBERTAH!??!?!?!?!
WELL ARE YOU??
If not youz a commie 
__________________
"Angel of the Lord, what are these tortured screams?"
And the angel said unto me,
"These are the cries of the carrots,
The cries of the carrots.
You see, reverend Maynard, tomorrow is harvest day
And to them it is the holocaust."
|
|
|
|
|
Today, 05:52 PM
|
#16
|
|
is around that time
LiFeNdEaTh is offline
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LOVE JESUS & DANCE WIT THE DEVIL
Posts: 16,574
|
interesting..
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:46 PM. |
|
|
|
|
Security provided by a well armed dancing peanut. 
