Tesla in Texas: Tesla Motors – A Surprising Poll Shows Overwhelming Support In This Key State

Tesla in Texas: Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) wants nothing more than to expand its operation into new states. While this is a process, it is one that the company, spearheaded by Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, is willing to take on.

Most recently, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has been making a strong push to sell its vehicles direct to consumers in the state of Texas. This is a big undertaking for the company, being that there are many who oppose the move.

Here is a quote from our last piece on the company, explaining the trouble with this:

“HB 3351 by state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, would change a Texas law that requires new cars to be sold through franchised dealerships. The bill would exempt electric-vehicle manufacturers, allowing Tesla to sell cars directly to customers in the state.”

As you can imagine, this is not something that dealers are happy about. Does this mean Tesla is backing down? Definitely not. Does this mean that consumers back the dealers? Once again, the answer is no.

The Austin Business Journal recently ran a poll, asking consumers if the state should allow the electric car company to sell its vehicles directly to the public.

You may be surprised as the numbers. Here was the poll question:

“Calif.-based Tesla wants to sell electric cars directly to consumers. Should it be allowed to bypass Texas dealership regulations?”

Of the 1,888 people who responded, 85 percent said yes, 12 percent said no, and 3 percent were unsure.

This is an overwhelming response in favor of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA). Does this mean the company will come out on top in its battle against the state and its many dealerships? Nobody knows for sure right now, but it appears that the company has the backing of the public.

If you think that this poll went on deaf ears at Tesla, you would be wrong. The company posted this press release yesterday: Poll From Austin Business Journal Shows Overwhelming Public Support for Tesla Motors Selling Electric Cars Direct to Consumers in Texas

In the release, CEO Elon Musk said, “this survey confirms that Texans, who take pride in their free enterprise philosophy, do not believe that there should be an arbitrary exception in the automotive marketplace. For the Auto Dealer Association to claim that restricting competition is in the best interests of the public is wrong and defies obvious common sense.”

For now, the battle in the Lone Star State continues. If nothing else, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) knows that many people in the state have its back.

Check back here for more updates on Tesla in Texas.

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