Legacy auto dealers are trying to pass bills such as HB 3994 and SB 512 that prevent manufacturers to sell or service vehicles without adopting a dealership agreement. The wording can be interpreted as requiring all new vehicles sold to be purchased and serviced only through the dealerships (independent “middle-man” sales company) and not allow companies without such agreements to sell/service their own products. This is NOT a bill about electric vehicles (EV) vs internal combustion engines (ICE). Legacy manufacturers also sell EV. It just happens to be that new car companies choosing direct sales happen to also develop EVs. 

IMPLICATIONS:

- If this includes things like batteries, windshield wipers, floor mats, etc., this affects all car owners to only do service at dealerships instead of independent shops or themselves (right to repair). This hurts many other jobs to ensure profits of dealership owners which are becoming more and more large faceless corporations themselves. 

- Simple computer updates done over-the-air (OTA) like your phone does are to require scheduling an appointment at a dealership for an employee to press the update button creating scheduling hassle, extra work adding extra cost, and potential safety risk from important safety related updates not performed due to owners delaying said appointment. Imagine being forced to set an appointment at a phone reseller any time there is a phone update. 
- HS 512 stifles the free market as it is forcing new businesses to go through a middle-man. Above all else, this is protectionism for car dealership owners, be it individuals or more widely Auto Group corporations. This is far against Oklahoma values of independence and free markets. 
-At a time when Oklahoma is attempting to have a foot in the door with new EV manufacturers, those same new manufacturers are deciding to forego the dealership model. We are on one hand giving incentives to Canoo for their upcoming Pryor factory and Tulsa R&D, and in the other not going to let them sell their vehicles here. This will limit vehicle choice of the many new companies such as Canoo, Rivian, Lucid, Aptera, Polestar, and Tesla. This bill passing to law reduces our chances to attract these companies and the jobs they provide. 
-This bill would force owners of the mentioned manufacturers to drive or tow out of state to service centers, not allowing for OTA updates, service centers or mobile technicians to perform work. 
- Dealership model adds cost to vehicles. By having an additional middle business that also needs to make a profit, additional cost is being passed on to Oklahomans. Vehicle costs are already at an all time high, and any cost savings leaves extra money in Oklahoman's pockets to spend elsewhere and stimulate the local economy.

HS 512 is a step backwards for consumer choice and promotion of free market enterprise. Signing this petition is a way to show our representatives that this is against our values, and we hope that they will stand against it on our behalf.