Ohio Dealers Make Another Push to Block Tesla's (TSLA) Direct-Sales Model
The following was posted on Musk's official Twitter account earlier:
Auto dealers trying to pass a law to enforce their monopoly in Ohio & prevent consumer choice... http://t.co/VQdMAZqGwR
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 11, 2014The article Musk links to its over Senate Bill 260, which would prevent the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) from issuing dealer licenses to manufacturers.
While Tesla only sold 300 cars in Ohio during 2013, the dealers are looking to cut off the company's plans at the pass. Reps for the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association think that the dealership model provides competitive pricing for vehicles, while Tesla fans like the no-haggle aspect and ease of buying behind the direct-sales model.
Shares of Tesla are positive in early trading, having hit at all-time high at $199.30 on Monday and potentially looking to surpass the $200 mark today.