re: Michigan Governor signs law banning direct sale of Tesla Motors' cars

Dan Gilbert

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Detroit billionaire Dan Gilbert today jabbed Gov. Rick Snyder for signing a bill that ensures Silicon Valley automaker Tesla Motors can't sell cars directly to consumers in Michigan.

Gilbert, who said he's a fan of Snyder, raised the issue while guest-hosting CNBC's "Squawk Box" and interviewing Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

He said Snyder's move "sends a bad message" about the influence of lobbyists in lawmaking.

"To me you have to have a philosophy and you have to stick to it and you can't let your personal circumstances compromise that," Gilbert said.

He also criticized the powerful auto dealer lobby for battling Tesla, which wants to sell cars through "stores" instead of franchises.

"Why don't you man up and compete like everybody else does?" Gilbert said.

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Lulz that the biggest union-busting free market freddies, the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, support this:

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The Chamber believes that the Detroit region, as the epicenter of the global automotive industry and the leader in next generation mobility, should have a business environment where all participants play by a common set of rules," Baruah said. "The Chamber supports the rationale Gov. Snyder utilized for signing this legislation and looks forward to the continued discussion the governor calls for."

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