North Carolina Called Out For Duplicitous Blocking Of Tesla Sales

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Leilani Münter took to social media and the interwebs on Tuesday to call out the state she calls home for the shenanigans pulled to continue blocking Tesla sales in North Carolina by a consortium of entrenched auto manufacturers. The letter shines a bright light on the state taking action that is counter to the interests and health of the public by blocking sales of a cleaner vehicle in favor of antiquated internal combustion vehicles.

The DMV Commissioner, Mr. Kelly J. Thomas, and the Administrative Hearing Officer, Mr. Larry B. Greene, were both put to task in the letter as the two responsible for the decision. First and foremost, the people of North Carolina want Teslas and believe they are better cars than the others on the market. This is evidenced by the overwhelming support of NC residents (97%) for Tesla’s right to sell cars in NC.

The irony of the state (any state, really) taking the side of VW, which blatantly, intentionally lied to the state and all of its residents about “clean diesel” that wasn’t actually clean but just contained code that was purpose built to lie to state emission-testing hardware. The result is higher particulate matter in our air … all around the world … from hundreds of millions of diesel VWs.

The same VW now wants the state to take its side to block sales of Tesla in NC … because VW knows what’s best for NC residents. On those grounds alone, I would first question and second move to act against anything brought up by a group of auto manufacturers that counted VW as a member. Seriously, folks?

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Beyond questioning the relatively obvious motives of the group of car dealers known as the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA), there’s a pretty strong case to be made that Tesla just makes a better car. The Model S won the “Motor Trend Car of the Year” award, and heck, the Model X won the “CleanTechnica Car of the Year” award, so these are cars that customers want, that people across the board (and across the pond) agree are just plain superior.

Tesla has demonstrated time and time again that its no-haggle sales model and service are top notch and that people absolutely love the cars.

Leilani blows open the war chest of inside scoops on the government and blasts the state leadership for hampering the growth of a company that sources ~30 components from North Carolina. Ironically, chasing potential Tesla buyers off to another state is completely counter to most of the reasons for the government to exist in the first place, as it also chases tax revenues off to other states that are more than happy to oblige…. The fact that Teslas are built in ‘Murica is just the icing on the cake.

The letter is capped off with a call to look towards the future and not to vote for today but in light of how today’s decisions would impact the world for generations to come.

Image courtesy Leilani Münter


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Kyle Field

I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. As an activist investor, Kyle owns long term holdings in Tesla, Lightning eMotors, Arcimoto, and SolarEdge.

Kyle Field has 1654 posts and counting. See all posts by Kyle Field