Palestine lawmaker introduces bill that would allow Tesla to sell direct

AUSTIN — Tesla may soon get to do what Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Chrysler and most other automakers cannot do in Texas, sell directly to consumers. A bill filed by Palestine Republican State Representative Cody Harris would allow makers of electric vehicles to act as dealers to sell directly to buyers. The biggest beneficiary of that, obviously, would be Tesla, which is constructing a giga-factory in Austin to produce electric pickups and SUVs. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposes the bill, saying it safeguards consumers by preventing Tesla from creating a monopoly; but others say its protectionism. The Statesman reports that analysts believe lawmakers need to play their cards right because it would be a huge black eye for Texas to make trucks in the state and not be able to sell them directly to consumers.