Tesla Declares 'Huge Victory' in New Jersey
DETROIT - Mark one more state off the list of places where Tesla Motors is barred from selling its electric cars directly to consumers, reported MLive.
New Jersey governor Chris Christie signed a bill Wednesday that overhauled the Garden State's auto dealership laws, including allowing direct sales by automakers with zero-emissions vehicles, according to Bloomberg. The law also requires Tesla to maintain a site where the company's customers can get their vehicles serviced.
Tesla is still banned from selling its vehicles directly to consumers in 25 states, including Michigan.
Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation in October that Tesla and others see as extremely restrictive for the California electric car maker to do business in the state.
Snyder noted as he signed HB 5606 into law that Tesla's unique, non-dealership, direct-to-consumer sales structure was already illegal in Michigan before the legislation cruised through Lansing.
The legislation centered around transaction fees dealerships charge their customers, but critics say dealership-backed amendments were added at the last minute that put greater restrictions on Tesla.
After signing the bill, Snyder said the change in law merely allows manufacturers who do not have their own franchised dealers to sell through another manufacturer's network of franchised dealers.
"They will be required, just as they are now, to sell through a franchised dealer, and not directly to consumers," the governor said in a statement. "HB 5606 does nothing to change this fact. At most, it clarifies the existing requirement in Michigan law."
Snyder added that lawmakers should also discuss the current business model of car dealership networks to determine whether it's best for consumers.
"We should always be willing to re-examine our business and regulatory practices with an eye toward improving the customer experience for our citizens and doing things in a more efficient and less costly fashion," he said in October.
More Industry

Ownership Priorities are Shifting
A new survey shows that in the U.S. vehicle quality for generation Z is largely defined by advanced safety features, intuitive technology and premium sound systems.
Read More →
Pump Price Jump Calculated
ISeeCars.com examined fuel costs for different power trains, finding which ones have experienced the biggest hits since the war in Iran commenced.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Wholesale values fell last week despite the spring season still being in the traditional full-gear mode, analysts said.
Read More →
Arkansas Auto Group Acquires First Indiana Rooftop
Performance Brokerage Services represented both the buyer and seller in the sale of Carver Toyota of Columbus by Carlock Automotive Group.
Read More →
Stellantis to Dive Into U.S. Lending
The multinational maker of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and multiple other brands received conditional approvals for a Utah-based industrial bank.
Read More →
New-Vehicle Prices Rise
With April sales down, higher prices on in-demand large vehicles helped inflate the overall ATP, though increases were under long-term averages, Cox Automotive reported.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Last week in the wholesale automotive market proved to be a mixed bag, analysts reported.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Conversion rates were flat last week at 63%, Black Book analysts calculated, as low-mileage and almost-near units outpaced the overall market.
Read More →
EU Auto Association Urges Action
Trade relations between the European Union and the U.S. are at risk, causing the European Automobile Manufacturers Association to push lawmakers to make a decision.
Read More →
Driving into the Super CFC Era
Understanding the risks and benefits of retail accounting and Super CFCs can help you better present options to your dealer partners.
Read More →