There used to be dozens of car manufacturers, and since 1900 probably 200 short-lived manufacturers have come and gone nationwide. In the Grand Rapids museum one can see the presumably sole surviving example of the Lorraine (not the same as the European company with a similar name), for example. The Ford Museum in Dearborn has lots of models from vanished companies, including better-known premium vehicles like a Cord and a Duesenberg (last time I was there, they were right next to each other).
The upshot is, people bought everything through catalogs at one time, at least they did out here on the frontier, and that included houses. Cars by fly-by-night builders (even if that was not their intent) screwed customers. Having a dealer network was a necessity even from a marketing standpoint.
‘Pep’ Tucker gave my dad a ride to show off his model (Tucker drove, dad rode shotgun) during his tour of the country to sign up dealers. His preferred place to pitch was in gas stations, because they were everywhere and already had service bays. If he came through this little place, he must have really covered a lot of country.
So every news source out there, even one as conservative as Townhall.com, agrees that this law was designed to keep Tesla out, yet somehow you think this is just Democrats making a fuss? This was boldfaced crony capitalism, the only ones who are arguing otherwise are associated with dealers.
“‘Pep’ Tucker gave my dad a ride to show off his model (Tucker drove, dad rode shotgun) during his tour of the country to sign up dealers.”
It sounds like your family is in the dealership business. That explains a lot.