Bloomberg News has a look at the regulatory obstacles the Tesla car company is facing in trying to sell its cars directly to consumers rather than through a network of dealers. New Jersey Governor Christie hasn't been particularly helpful:
Tesla is battling dealers state by state to secure or protect the right to sell its cars directly to consumers. Auto dealers in Ohio, New York, Minnesota, Georgia and elsewhere in the past year have sought to block Tesla from directly retailing its models, arguing that independent retailers are better for shoppers and owners of vehicles. Texas dealers successfully backed a law setting the nation's toughest restrictions on Tesla. Arizona, Colorado and Virginia also imposed limits.
The New Jersey vote shouldn't have been a surprise to Palo Alto, California-based Tesla, said a Christie spokesman.
"Since Tesla first began operating in New Jersey one year ago, it was made clear that the company would need to engage the Legislature on a bill to establish their new direct-sales operations under New Jersey law," said Kevin Roberts, the spokesman. "This administration does not find it appropriate to unilaterally change the way cars are sold in New Jersey without legislation and Tesla has been aware of this position since the beginning."