----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The OP ask "why are republicans doing this?" So I think Mike805 poster is surprised. He is surprised I guessing because the republicans talking all the time about free market.
Actually Republicans talk about promoting the economy in our state. The car dealers in our state employ a large number of people. Supporting the existing dealer network and association that has been in place for 100 years makes a lot more sense than allowing an upstart company to bypass the conventions for selling new cars that have been established with the support of both parties over a long period of time. Do I need to mention that dealers are supported by Chamber of Commerce that promotes business in our state. If Tesla wants to sell new cars then they can align with existing business practices and establish dealerships and provide jobs in our state. Otherwise they can place their battery operated cars in a trash compactor or sell them overseas. This is also about the protection of consumers. Who is going to service the warranty on cars if the dealer has no established location to take the automobile to?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why do the car dealers in your state care if Tesla is having a different way to sell? Tesla is now selling to people with high income. You know that. So they have service to their warranty from some options the buyer have to pay for. They can have technicions go to the house to help. Or they can call for to have someone take their car for repair, and tesla will give them the car to drive temporary while they wait for their car.
Sounds like you believe the promise that an upstart car manufacturer is going to fly a technican to your home from out of state to fix your car. Unfortunately most auto consumers are very likely to have a car sitting for weeks before it gets repaired. Where will the customer get service if Tesla goes bankrupt (Hint: Dealerships of Yugo's still provided service for three years after Yugo went under). One of the primary reason for requiring a network of dealerships that must have service departments is to ensure the availability of warranty service. Tesla may be targeting people with high income - If you let them get away with bypassing all the dealership requirements and consumer protection rules - what is going to stop some large car company from China doing it with cheap cars next and then causing a complete disaster when they don't live up to their warranty agreements.