Massachusetts auto dealer lawsuit against Tesla dismissed by judge!

David M.

I knew it would be dismissed. Now, on to selling cars in New England!

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081464_ma-auto-dealers-suit-against-tesla-dismissed-by-judge

xradr

This topic reminds me of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi ...

“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win.”

Go Tesla! Go Commonwealth of Mass!

prash.saka

Nice. Thanks for posting David.

+1 xradr .

s_curve

To the Massachusetts Auto Dealers I would say, now that the litigation is over...instead of trying to take down Tesla's game, figure out what you need to do to up your own.

Sudre_

This is more great news.

They will never stop suing and appealing this. It is the only ammo they have to stop electric cars from putting them out of business in the future.

jackhub

The article missed the legal point. The law specifically protects independent dealers from the mfgs. selling cars they the dealers are franchised to sell for the mfg. It is designed to prevent Mfgs from competing with the independent dealers they have sold franchises to. In Tesla's case, no independent dealer is franchised to sell Teslas. Therefore there can be no dealer with the legal standing to sue!

Brad Holt

Here's hoping we get the same outcome here in TX!

rickemishler_135220

TM still can't sell cars in AZ. Not sure what the holdup is.

Sudre_

I'm not up on this too much.... Is AZ outright outlawing the Model S, not allow registration, or not allowing purchase?

The first one means Model S drivers will get harassed by state police driving thru the state for non-compliance.
The second means people who live in the backwards state can't own one.
The third just means people who live in the state have to purchase online like everyone else then drive it home from another state.

I don't see how any state can stop any company from opening a vehicle repair facility.

BYT

It just chaps me personally that in America an American car company can't do business? I'm sorry but, WTF!?!?

GeirT

I am appalled that there is laws regulating competition like that. In the US!?
But then again, I am from Norway.

Sudre_

The laws probably hasn't made it to the Supreme Court in this kind of situation. I would bet it would be unconstitutional. I don't think one state can refuse another state's goods which is how it can be framed. I am not up on constitutional law tho.

shop

There are all sorts of law restricting commerce in the US (and in Norway too, for that matter).. It's what happens when big industry buy off politicians (sorry, meant "lobby politicians") to protect their dominant market positions. Yet another reason why I don't like big government...

mw

We have too many ridiculous laws in this country!

+1 BYT

lolachampcar

The death of common sense has been and continues to occur. This is but one more example.

Mr. Howard has some interesting things to say about the legal system.

http://www.ted.com/talks/philip_howard.html

keithz

Less to do with protecting ICE cars than the dealers business models. OEM owned stores will be the end of their fat pay cheques.

Anthony H

I live in Arizona, and have purchased a Model S (happened to finalize my order in person in California at the factory on my 50th birthday). Rumor here is that 12-20 or so Model S'es have already been delivered in AZ. So yes it is possible to order and receive one. Several recipients have posted to confirm, but now they're out driving!

Mine is due for delivery between Jan. 19th and Feb 2nd.

prash.saka

@BYT, amen brother.

Brian H

Yes, they can't "consummate the sale" in AZ, or do the dealer prep and orientation stuff there. All that must be done "out of state" before dropping the car off like a load of topsoil.