Tesla store at the mall

[JTsyo]

CNN

The new stores are owned by Tesla itself, and most states have laws that prohibit or restrict automakers from owning dealerships. In fact, laws in New York state expressly forbid it, said Leonard Bellavia, an attorney who specializes in working with auto dealers.

That caught my attention. Why have such a law? What's the logic? Can you currently order the car directly from a manufacturer or do you have to go to a dealership?

 

[Mandres]

sounds like protectionism to keep jobs and tax revenues with the local dealers, but what do i know?

 

[HybridSquirrel]

malls are higher foot traffic areas, so it fits with the 0 budget marketing strategy. manufacturers have galleries in other countries, it works for them there. Plus there is lower overhead cost renting a shop in the mall. we also don't have the volume right now to own a dealership, and most of the people in service hated working for dealerships, so they work at tesla.

you are able to reserve a model s straight through the website. no point in tesla franchising out, they are still too small to do that.

edit: there is also a lot of proprietary information around Tesla, it makes sense to keep everything in house than to worry about Big Al's Auto Sales leaking info.

 

[mwmorph]

malls are higher foot traffic areas, so it fits with the 0 budget marketing strategy. manufacturers have galleries in other countries, it works for them there. Plus there is lower overhead cost renting a shop in the mall. we also don't have the volume right now to own a dealership, and most of the people in service hated working for dealerships, so they work at tesla.

you are able to reserve a model s straight through the website. no point in tesla franchising out, they are still too small to do that.

edit: there is also a lot of proprietary information around Tesla, it makes sense to keep everything in house than to worry about Big Al's Auto Sales leaking info.

Do you work for Tesla? Also, does the store infringe on any state laws regarding dealership ownership?

Lastly, if you do work for Tesla, will you guys be sending any cars to the media for testing and comparisons? It's definitely an interesting car to hear about.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Do you work for Tesla? Also, does the store infringe on any state laws regarding dealership ownership?

Lastly, if you do work for Tesla, will you guys be sending any cars to the media for testing and comparisons? It's definitely an interesting car to hear about.

Do I work for them? Yes, service.

Does the store infringe on any state laws? No, but in Colorado we can't sell cars on Sunday so they just basically stand in the store and smile (literally)

Are we sending cars? I don't know, and if I did I wouldn't be able to say. But there are several articles available regarding the Model S. Here is motor trends http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1110_2012_tesla_model_s_first_ride/viewall.html