Tesla Motors: GM is lobbying a bill banning us from selling electric cars in Indiana

Tesla Motors has long been fighting the laws of some US states that prohibit the direct sale of cars to customers. In some states, Tesla wins; in others, automakers and dealers are struggling to prevent direct sales. Tesla had problems with the legislative lobby of dealers in states such as Arizona, Texas, Virginia, New Jersey. Now there is a problem of a similar nature in Indiana.

This state is considering a bill to prohibit car manufacturers from owning a dealer license as well. Tesla Motors has just such a license, which allows the company to sell electric cars to its customers in Indiana directly. Tesla does not want to work with dealers for many reasons, including a purely commercial one - by itselfit is unprofitable for dealers to spend energy on selling electric cars, getting a minimum margin at the exit.

Now Tesla Motors is asking its customers to turn to senators, expressing dissatisfaction with the new bill. Hearings will be held on March 25 this year. “Despite the fact that we have a legitimate right to license for the sale of electric vehicles starting in 2014, despite our investment of $ 42 million in the state economy in the form of purchases of parts and spare parts from local manufacturers, despite our plans to create the largest Tesla Service Center, which will provide work for many residents of the state, GM requires the Senate to close Tesla, ”the company writes in its official address.

According to the representative of Tesla Motors, so far the company has no problems with the sale of electric vehicles to customers in the state. But they will certainly arise if the bill discussed above is adopted.

At the same time, GM (General Motors) confirmed its support for bill HB 1254: “GM supports HB 1254. GM believes that all industry participants must work according to the same rules and requirements as to how we sell, service and promote our products ... Asserting Tesla special rights can lead to different manufacturers competing with each other ... getting the opportunity to work under different rules. Tesla can use the Indiana independent franchise dealership scheme now, but instead they insist that the staff should provide them with unique rules and special exceptions that will support their business interests. ”