F&I Management & Training

A new battleground has been established in the seemingly never-ending war between electric car company Tesla and franchised dealers representing other brands across the US.

Retailers in the state of Connecticut have launched a new web site, Tesla Crash.  As its title suggests, it is highly critical of the Tesla’s direct-sales methods, which circumvent  the model that franchised dealers traditionally work to.

Using the tagline, ‘Don’t let Tesla crash into Connecticut’s consumer laws,’ the site features prominently a picture of a Tesla car driven into a forecourt sign by its owner moments after collection. It also carries a news story about an unhappy Tesla owner in Wisconsin using the state’s consumer protection laws for redress.

On the site, Connecticut Auto Retailers Association President Jim Fleming has this to say: “We want the public to know that local Connecticut dealers are ready and willing to sell Tesla immediately. We currently offer many electric vehicles through our dealerships and we are strong supporters of growing that market. We additionally have worked with the State of Connecticut to expand electric charging stations and promote incentives.

“We don’t understand why Elon Musk (Tesla’s founder) wants to introduce legislation that would circumvent the auto laws and rules that we all follow, particularly since this past week Musk said at the Automotive News World Congress he is open to working with franchise dealers.”

DATED: 16.02.15

FEED: ARN