State: Connecticut
The Connecticut bill: HB 5310 (2018)
How does CT HB 5310 allow for directr sales?
- Re-define manufacturer
- Allow for manufacturer sales when:
- only Electric Vehicles
- There are no franchise agreements
- only sells its own cars
- is duly licensed
- isn’t owned by another manufacturer
- doesn’t own another manufacturer
What are 5 opposition arguments from motor vehicle dealers in CT?
- Aren’t you special? “Tesla wants special treatment”
- Foreigners. fear that 25 other international manufacturers would set up shop in CT
- It’s not fair. “unfair playing field”
- When in doubt, throw California under the bus. “ Any decision that supports a California company over our local jobs is not the right one.”
- Protectionism. A Mercedes dealer owner says ““It’s not about competition,” Aiosa said. “We welcome Tesla. It’s about dismantling the franchise system.”
New Haven Register | Tesla makes plea to sell electric cars in Connecticut