New York Auto Dealers' Lobby Prepping New Anti-Tesla Legislation

02-27-2014 • slate.com

Now some legislators in New York, apparently joined by the state's governor, want to adopt similar legislation in the Empire State. Precise practices vary from place to place, but the general spirit of the regulations is that instead of a manufacturer selling cars to consumers, they should sell cars to dealers who mark them up and then divide the profits with state legislators.

Oh, sorry, it's about protecting consumers.

[Deborah Dorman] said the bill was designed to protect consumers because it required companies to create a storefront in the state and was not directed at Tesla because it sold electric vehicles. Some environmentalists have claimed the bill unfairly targets electric car manufacturers.