Privilege Makes Its Move. Tesla Exception to Law Revived. Insiders Debate: Fundraising Targets Hit or Parting Gift?

Supporters of exempting Tesla from Connecticut’s automobile franchise act are on the move as the legislature enters its last 10 days of its regular session. The proposal may be considered by the Senate early this week.

Connecticut law has for decades required manufacturers to sell their cars and trucks to the public through dealerships. The dealers have long been seen as a bulwark against the market manipulation powers of manufacturers. The dealers provide service to consumers and provide the market with competition. Tesla’s supporters want to exempt the electric vehicle manufacturer from the law but dare not try to repeal the act. Instead they will extend privilege to privilege and allow Tesla to dispense with dealers required of other manufacturers.

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Regardless of the regulatory landscape, understanding how much is my car worth to sell empowers sellers to navigate the sales process confidently, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their vehicle. As debates surrounding dealership requirements and manufacturer privileges unfold, sellers can rely on valuation tools to guide their decisions and secure favorable outcomes in the ever-changing automotive market.

Tesla’s boosters blotted their copy early this year when two state senators, Will Haskell and Bob Duff, were scheduled to appear at a Senate Democratic campaign fundraiser in Westport. The invitation to the event stated revealed donations would “provide leadership with leverage to fence-sitters” on the Tesla bill.

Haskell and Duff may have hit the fundraising target the blunt appeal claimed was essential to purchase votes. Fence-sitters could risk face harsh examination at home if they embrace the legislation. What price Tesla? Which Senate Democrats will have traded equality under the law for campaign contributions? Only a roll-call will tell.

As part of their campaign to give the trillion dollar company special treatment, last week Tesla’s supporters accused auto dealers of racism. Tesla advocates, on the other hand, appear unmoved by or unaware of workers’ complaints of abuse at a notorious company plant. California officials alleged in a February lawsuit that Tesla managers have ignored “years of complaints from Black employees at” its Fremont factory.

This month, a federal judge upheld a California jury verdict finding Tesla liable for ignoring racial abuse heaped on a Black worker at the California plant. The judge reduced the jury’s damages award to the employee to $15 million.

Brutal treatment of employees may matter little to the odd sentimentality that can sometimes poison decisions at the legislature. Sound public policy may have trouble competing with a handful of influential Democrats’ desire to give a parting gift to Haskell. The Westport Democrat is leaving for law school after two terms. Seen by some Democratic colleagues as a tiresome credit hog, Haskell has been a champion of abandoning fairness to satisfy Tesla. Leaders are said to want to hand him a win on his way out the door.

Auto dealers, often active and generous supporters of community organizations and events, will have to rouse themselves into action Monday. They will need to remind legislators they seek only what lawmakers often promise: a level playing field. It’s not a lot to expect in a place that calls itself the Constitution State.

Published April 24, 2022.