I find it ironic that the American auto dealerships, whom I’m sure proclaim the virtues of the free market and capitalism, are turning to government, i.e., state legislatures, to halt Tesla’s apparently threateningly successful business model. The dealers claim that dealerships have “more incentive to respond to customer safety concerns and recalls,” reported in the March 15 story “Tesla’s unique selling approach is under siege.” GM’s “coverup” of the malfunctioning of the ignition systems on some of its car models, which allegedly has caused injuries and deaths over the past several years, puts the dealership/company concern for the customer in question.
I thought that in the free market model, competition was expected to foster innovation, creativity leading to better overall products, lower prices, and additional consumer choices. Instead, the car dealerships are stifling innovation under the guise of concern for customer safety. Perhaps the “free market” is designed to keep the status quo free from competition vs. fostering competition.
Judy Iams
Vancouver
