Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) hired Simon Sproule to serve as vice president of communications and marketing starting April amid its preparation for the launching of its electric cars in China and its battle against auto dealers in the United States.
Sproule is a veteran from Renault SA (EPA:RNO) and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NSANY) (TYO:7201) alliance. He was a former director of communications for Renault-Nissan partnership.
Tesla confirms appointment
Liz Jarviz-Shean, spokesperson of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), confirmed Sproule’s appointment, but did not provide further details regarding his role in the electric car manufacturer.
Observers in the auto industry believed that Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) will benefit from Sproule given his broad experience in communications and marketing. He served more than 20 years at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NSANY) (TYO:7201) and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) including its Land Rover and former Jaguar brand.
Tesla to stop selling cars in New Jersey
Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) will stop selling its electric vehicles in New Jersey after the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission approved regulation that prohibits automakers from directly selling to consumers.
The electric car manufacturer will no longer sell its cars in the state effective April 1. Under the newly approved regulation of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, automakers are required to enter a franchise agreement with auto dealers or retailers to obtain a license to sell cars in the state.
According to Jonathan Chang, the legal counsel of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), the new rule was aimed directly at the electric car manufacturer. He said, “New Jersey does not believe in free enterprise, the bedrock of this nation.”
Diarmuid O’Connel, vice president of business development at Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) commented, “This is at the very least disappointing, if not outright outrageous what’s going on with our business in N.J. right now. Clearly, a decision was made rather abruptly and certainly without any consultation with us. There are a couple levels of bad faith and surreptitious behavior.”
Other states including Arizona and Texas also implemented similar regulations preventing Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) from directly selling its electric cars to consumers. The states of Colorado and Virginia imposed regulations that limiting the operations of the automaker.
via: Bloomberg
