2016 Tesla Model X on 2040-cars

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Dealers claim factory-owned Tesla stores are illegal

Unlike typical dealers, Tesla has a network of "stores" and "retail stores." While reservations can be made for a new Model S or Roadster at the retail store, Tesla says other versions of the store merely direct potential customers to make their reservation online. Most of these boutique-style stores are in shopping malls, and Tesla asserts that they are not sales facilities. It's an assertion with which traditional auto dealers are taking issue.
Dealers associations and networks across the country are doubling down their efforts to make Tesla's OEM showroom network illegal. Tesla has opened 17 stores in 10 states, as well as the District of Columbia.
Dealership associations contend Tesla's notion that sales are not made at these stores, stating that the showroom experience is still part of the sales process. To that end, dealer groups across the country have embarked in legal battles with the electric carmaker. The Illinois Secretary of State has informed Tesla that it is illegal to list CEO Elon Musk as the owner of its Chicago store. The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association is looking into legal options against Telsa's Westchester store, as well as two others in New York. In Massachusetts, the opening of a store in the suburban Natick Mall is having its legality challenged by the dealer association in that state. California has laws in place that allow for a manufacturer to run its own dealership, as long as it is not within 10 miles of an existing dealer. That practice caught the ire of Chrysler dealers when the American automaker opened its own multi-brand showroom near downtown Los Angeles.

VW Q3 Financial Woes, 2015 Tokyo Motor Show | Autoblog Minute

Consumer Reports pulls its Tesla recommendation, the U.S. Copyright Office offers a ruling affecting car owners, VW gets hit hard with third quarter losses, and lots of exciting news from Tokyo. Autoblog's Senior editor Greg Migliore reports on this Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Tokyo Motor Show Mazda Subaru Suzuki Tesla Toyota Concept Cars Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video Tokyo 2015

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla Electric Road Trip, Google autonomous cars vs. cyclists

Tesla is inviting owners on "Electric Road Trip" events on four continents. To celebrate the 2.5 billion electric miles Tesla owners have logged, the automaker is hosting a series of open house events at Destination Charger locations (think hotels and resorts) in various cities across North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe. Attendees will "have the opportunity to swap stories and share your favorite road trip experiences with fellow Tesla owners and like-minded fans," according to Tesla, as well as enjoy local food and drinks. Owners have received email invitations to the series of events, but those interested can also RSVP online. Learn more about the events at Tesla's website, and read more at Teslarati. Google has published its most recent autonomous vehicle testing results, this time with regard to sharing the road with cyclists. The system is programmed to predict when a cyclist will swerve around an open car door, leave room for cyclists during passing and other situations, recognize and remember cyclist had signals, and recognize a variety of bike styles – even unicycles. The report also lists two minor collisions with other vehicles in June, both occurring in Austin, Texas. In one instance, another car swerved into the Google car's lane. In the other, the Google car was rear-ended. Read more at Green Car Congress. Hyundai is expanding its fuel cell program in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) beyond Southern California. For the second phase of the fuel cell confirmation program, Hyundai will provide the DOE with a number of its Tucson Fuel Cell crossovers for daily use in Northern California, Washington, D.C., Denver, and Michigan. The partners are looking to expand the use of fuel cell vehicles to the rest of the country in the near future. Read more in the press release below. Hyundai And U.S. Department Of Energy Extend Fuel Cell Vehicle Loan Partnership In Concert With New D.C.-Based Hydrogen Fueling Station Latest, Phase II of current program prepares for rollout of fuel cell vehicles nationwide in near future WASHINGTON, July 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are extending their fuel cell vehicle confirmation program, originally from 2013 through 2015, to its second phase, from 2016 through 2017. The program involves Hyundai providing a number of Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs for daily use and confirmation by the DOE using existing hydrogen infrastructure.