GM bullying Tesla

[ZesPak]

So, I couldn't find a thread regarding this but this has been going on for a while: GM opposing to the Tesla model (direct sales no dealers), and actually managing to win these cases in some states.

What am I not getting? Isn't this like Walmart suing Amazon and getting away with it?

I know there are some things we find ridiculous over here, but I really can't grasp what's going on other than that some Governors and officials are getting a couple of new cars this year.

Article said:

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a measure Tuesday that blocks Tesla Motors Inc. from selling cars directly to consumers in the state, siding with auto dealers and General Motors Co. even after other Michigan manufacturers advocated for the Silicon Valley company.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/gm-urges-michigan-gov-to-sign-anti-tesla-bill-1413912419

[ZesPak]

Marc p said:

This. The law that manufacturers cannot sell direct to the public has been around for a long time in a few states, this is nothing new, but I think the government want to roll this out through other states to safeguard jobs.

Nice.
They should have done it here much earlier, my family would still have the grain mill.

Odd that they didn't ban those self-service point of sales in the supermarkets yet.

[ZesPak]

swisstoni said:

Funny how there are so few car manufacturing companies in a country the size of the USA. This could be an indication as to how that has come about.

Watch "Flash of Genius", great movie.
Instantly wants you to never buy a Ford again.

[ZesPak]

Next thing we know Tesla and other "green" car manufacturers are going to get sued by the oil companies and petrol stations for loss of jobs.

[ZesPak]

Dave Hedgehog said:

I do not like a sales model where you have no scope to negotiate or change dealers if one gives poor service

Really?
Customer support will be consistent at least. No blaming the dealer, not back and forth. If customer support is bad, go to another brand.

[ZesPak]

Sheepshanks said:

ZesPak said:

Really?
Customer support will be consistent at least. No blaming the dealer, not back and forth. If customer support is bad, go to another brand.

It's not with Apple, which Tesla's model is often compared to.

In the end you're still dealing with people. But I really don't see the benefit of adding an extra layer here?
Anyway, a company should have the choice to do it or not.

[ZesPak]

London424 said:

And that's for a 100k car...if I remember, that's more than the comparable BMW/Merc/Audi, so pretty good going.

But remember, people (companies) often can buy this because of it's "green" credentials. If the state changes these regulations, the tide might turn quickly.
I did the calculation over here, if you want a very decent E-class at 70k €, you might as well get a 100k € Tesla S in terms of taxes.