Archaic auto franchise act limits electric vehicle choices in NM
Amazon just wrapped up their biggest Prime Day ever, selling over $12.7 billion worth of merchandise to shoppers in the comfort of their homes. Including thousands of New Mexicans. Maybe even you.
Now, imagine how you would feel if you were ready to make your Amazon purchase, you’ve entered your shipping address and method of payment, and when you clicked on the “Checkout” button, only to get an error message “Were sorry, you are in New Mexico, we cannot sell to you. Go to a store?”
What if you were planning a vacation and you tried to book a flight, cruise, hotel or rental car, and because you live in New Mexico, you were told you couldn’t do that transaction online and would have to drive to a travel agent? Or you are looking to buy a house and find the perfect place online, only to be told that because you are a New Mexican, you have to go through a Realtor, otherwise, you would be breaking a law?
This is what a law written before the creation of the internet does. The New Mexico Automobile Franchise Act forbids auto shoppers from buying directly from auto manufacturers. Even if there are no dealerships in the entire state selling the make of vehicle you would like to buy. It even forbids a manufacturer from operating a service center to take care of New Mexican owners of those cars purchased, used, or brought in from other states.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham just signed an order requiring that 43% of new vehicles sold in New Mexico by 2027, and 82% by 2032, be zero-emission electric or hydrogen cars or trucks. Only problem is, selection of electric cars at dealerships is limited and there are absolutely no electric trucks at dealerships.
Rivian motors builds all electric trucks and SUVs in Illinois, and I could have one in a matter of weeks, but I would be breaking state law in doing so. Electric auto giant Tesla has taken the bold move of opening service centers and showrooms on tribal land in partnership with Nambé and Santa Ana pueblos to get around this archaic law.
If our governor wants to reach her goal of our state leading the U.S. in lowering emissions, she will need to lead the drive to get The New Mexico Automobile Franchise Act changed or eliminated. It was intended to protect consumers, but that’s what the Lemon Law does. But with direct internet shopping, it is becoming a problem because of dealerships who are not offering what New Mexicans want, choices.
Our governor and state lawmakers need to do their part to get this done for New Mexico, not just the dealerships.