That is reassuring.

(not referring to Tesla) I do not believe it is in the best interest to have a manufacturer selling a car while at the same time a franchise of (said manufacturer) is also trying to sell the same car. The manufacturer has the advantage.

 

Sure, there's truth to that, but it can spur franchises to differentiate themselves by offering better local service. Maybe give a choice then, either a manufacturer sells only direct or franchises, but can't do both. I just don't see the point of banning Tesla sales completely while still taking in registration fees. The law to protect dealerships is clearly outdated and needs revision to be fair.

 

This is actually the case (99% sure). For example. Toyota could sell direct to consumers, but only if it does not have any franchises. Tesla already does it but the state has power as well to regulate car sales for each individual state.

I am glad you can see some of the truth in it.

 

That's the case in almost every product category, and yet it still somehow works. You can buy an iPhone from Apple, or from a host of 3rd party retailers. All the wireless carriers operate their own stores and also have independently-owned franchises (called "authorized retailers"). I have purchased TVs directly from Samsung, from Costco, and from a local electronics retailer. I can buy winter boots for my dog directly from UltraPaws (the manufacturer), from Amazon, or from a local pet store. There are perhaps millions of other examples. These all work, largely because it's generally not in the manufacturer's best interest to crush their channel partners.

 

Right! So why not the remaining 1% of cases? Why are a few States slow to allow Tesla direct sales when a majority of States, with thousands of similar traditional dealerships, already allow free competition with Tesla and any other newcomers? That is what I don't understand.

 

No doubt you have valid examples. I think a vehicle purchase, and because of the high cost involved might be a little different

 

I think because the state (in their state) has the final authority on how cars should be sold to consumers has a lot to do with it. We have visited Tesla to look at their cars, we do not agree that there is a no discount policy, we don't believe that is in the best interest of the consumer. Would increased competition by franchised dealers help consumers with better prices? I tend to agree that it would.

 

Only if there was a truly competitive product. Tesla can sell at a premium because no one else can match their range, performance, software, user interface, and Supercharger network for the same price. You get a lot of car for the money, especially the Model 3.

Which Model were you considering? It is true they don't have discounts, but often offer special incentives near end of quarter, such as the combo of free paint color, interior upgrade, free wheel upgrade, and 2 yrs free Supercharging on new cars. A coworker of mine snagged all those benefits on her Multi-coat Red Model 3 with white interior back in September (near end of quarter).

The used inventory site is also a good place to look but I've noticed prices have gone up.

New inventory is sometimes a better deal because they discount some of the cars with 1,000 miles (like ours), they're still considered new so you get all tax benefits and lifetime free Supercharging, and you can reduce the price by selecting to take off Full-Self Driving. At the time they were also giving free paint color and free $4500 wheel upgrades (which I turned around and sold for additional savings).

 

We looked at a Tesla 3. My husband has delusions of grandeur in that he wanted to buy one, (I do not). I think it is a wild car and so cool. I would get one if my life was different. Was surprised to find out that one cannot lease a 3 in Ontario, only buy. Not that I would lease anyways.

 

Does Ontario have laws restricting leasing, or is that strictly a Tesla policy?

 

I am curious to learn more as well. Tesla leases the Model 3 but you can't buy it at end of lease because Tesla plans to add lease returns to their future autonomous fleet.

 

Really surprised/disappointed in that Acura score OUCH

 

If you go into the Tesla Canada website and try to order one, Tesla 3 has the option to buy cash or loan. A Tesla S you can lease, cash, or loan.

 

something tells me that the only reason this was fixed so fast was this was a magazines car. If youre regular Joe Schmoe with a broken Tesla, wait your turn.

 

I have a friend who has two Tesla’s, a Model S and a Model X. The X has been a big problem and has left her stranded a few times to be hauled away. Comparing her experience to C&D’s I would say their experience was so quick and painless because they are C&D. She swears she will never buy another Tesla. It’s weeks before she gets any response from them, etc.

The bottom line is, it’s not really like a car company, it’s a tech company. The service and repair end seems more like dealing with, say Apple, than it does any other sort of car company. Think of how much Apple would suck if just replacing your phone or computer wasn’t such an easy option?

As for dealers and free markets, the act of stopping Tesla’s novel business practice of having only company owned stores clearly is a move that is anti-free market. The franchise dealer association/associations are very powerful, and that’s what has stopped this from happening in the past.

The reason they don’t want to have franchise dealers compete with a company owned dealer is they KNOW they will be at a disadvantage. If they were so confident their model protects consumers then why not let Tesla fall on their face? Because they know it doesn’t.

They also know this will save manufacturers a FORTUNE, and if they let Tesla do it Ford will and Toyota will, etc and the franchise owners will be finished.