Connecticut Car Dealers Group: Let Us, Not Manufacturer, Sell Teslas
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Tesla wants to set up shop in Connecticut, but established car dealers would prefer to sell the high-end electric cars themselves.
Tesla would like to open a corporate store in Connecticut, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.
But Jim Fleming, the head of the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association, said consumers would be better off if franchise dealers -- Ford, Chevy, etc. -- were allowed to sell the Teslas.
Car Dealers Group In Connecticut: Let Us Sell Teslas
Connecticut law currently protects car dealerships by preventing manufacturers from selling directly to customers. State Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, has said he will submit legislation to change the law.
Fleming said there are a number of dealers in the state who are interested in selling Teslas.
"I think the dealers can do it better," he said. "They sell cars for a living."
Fleming said having established dealers sell the cars would protect buyers in the event of a recall. He also said prospective buyers would be able to negotiate the purchase price of the high-end cars at dealerships.
"If you have a corporate store, just like with Apple computer, which are corporate stores, you're not going to go in there and negotiate a lower price or a better deal," he said.
