AutoNation’s Mike Jackson Unafraid To Share Opinion On Tesla Motors, Automotive Safety

Tesla Motors was among the topics of discussion during the Detroit Economic Club Luncheon in Dearborn, MI. AutoNation chairman and CEO Mike Jackson spoke freely about the California-based electric car company. He began his remarks speaking out against the bill that we reported on previously, which ensured that Tesla could not sell direct-to-consumers in Michigan.

The Detroit News reported that Jackson said, “If Elon Musk wants to make a mistake and go with an inefficient distribution system, that’s his right as an American. Let him do it. I’m not afraid … my phone will ring someday when he really wants to sell some cars.” The comments by Jackson come a short time after the much publicized back-and-forth between Tesla supporters, Michigan lawmakers and General Motors. In the end, Tesla was legislated out of Michigan.

Jackson also spoke about Tesla’s lobbying against legislation, which blocks their direct-to-consumer sales model. “There’s a certain irony here that as Elon Musk complains about government intervention and government protectionism, he wouldn’t exist without the government.” Jackson was referring to the $465 million dollar grant that Tesla received back in 2010 from the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program. That in addition to the tax breaks which citizens receive for purchasing a Tesla vehicle.

The AutoNation CEO also took aim at the automotive industry. In light of the GM ignition switch recall, which has now been officially been responsible for 30 deaths, Jackson was blunt. “It’s sinking into the American’s conscience that the industry does not have a coherent plan to care for their safety,” Jackson explained at the luncheon. “A cost will come for that sooner or later… but now’s the time to speak up and say, ‘we need a better solution.’ ” Jackson’s critique comes just weeks after both GM and the NHTSA took a lot of heat for their responses to the ignition switch recall. It also comes days after his organization refused to sell vehicles with Takata airbag recalls which hadn’t been properly repaired.

Do you agree with Mike Jackson? Does Tesla look foolish in critique of the government, which got its organization off of the ground, or is it an apple to oranges comparison? Does the automotive industry need “a better solution” when it comes to consumer safety?