STATEHOUSE (Feb. 7, 2017) – The House of Representatives today passed State Rep. Ed Soliday’s (R-Valparaiso) bill that would establish new requirements for motor vehicle manufacturers to sell vehicles directly to the public.
House Bill 1592 would allow auto manufacturers to continue selling directly to the public if they have obtained a license to sell new motor vehicles before July 1, 2015, and the manufacturers establish at least one physical location in Indiana that is a warranty repair service center before Jan. 1, 2018.
“This legislation is aimed at maintaining consumer protections while respecting the work that companies have already done in Indiana,” Soliday said. “We understand that the business market is changing and we must adopt policies that create a strong foundation for the future.”
Soliday said Tesla would be able to continue operating in Indiana under the amended bill.
Under the proposal, a manufacturer that meets the new requirements must stop selling directly to consumers if they sell a majority interest in their company to another vehicle manufacturer.
Soliday said the bill excludes trailers or semitrailers from the requirements as well as manufacturers that sell less than 1,000 units per year.
Soliday’s bill can now be considered by the Senate.
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State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House District 4,
which includes portions of Porter County.
A high-resolution photo of Soliday can be downloaded by clicking here.
