Latest news with #BlairAnderson
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Scout Motors urges DOJ to fight state dealer franchise laws
The Republican Party may be the party of "states' rights," but Scout Motors hopes the current Republican presidential administration will eliminate the state franchise laws that impede its direct-sales strategy, according to an Automotive News report. Scout called on the federal government to do this in an 11-page letter submitted to the Justice Department's Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force by Blair Anderson, the automaker's vice president of government and regulatory affairs. The task force was created in March after president Donald Trump signed executive orders in January and February calling for removing "regulatory burdens placed on the American people." The letter used similar language, calling franchise laws "burdensome restrictions on competition." Car sales in the United States are currently regulated by a patchwork of state laws, some of which allow automakers to sell cars directly to customers. But many states still require franchised dealerships. There's been friction between those dealerships and automakers since Tesla unveiled its direct-sales model over a decade ago. Tesla fought a series of legal battles with franchised dealerships in individual states. Now Scout, which plans to build its Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck in a new South Carolina factory starting in 2027, is facing similar struggles. A group of Volkswagen and Audi dealerships in Florida filed a lawsuit in February to block Scout's direct-sales plans, and the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) filed a similar lawsuit in April, Automotive News noted. In March, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) also sent a letter to Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume and other executives urging the company to let its members sell Scout vehicles. Scout revives the International Harvester Scout, one of the original SUVs, which the VW Group gained the rights to after its purchase of International's successor Navistar. The new Scout vehicles are rugged off-roaders, with body-on-frame construction, with all-electric or extended-range powertrains. They're also unlike anything in the current VW Group portfolio, and exactly the kinds of vehicles dealerships in truck-loving America are eager to sell. That's likely adding fuel to the fire over the VW Group's attempt to set up a new brand with direct sales, while keeping franchised dealerships for its other brands. In the letter, Anderson said that, as a new manufacturer, Scout shouldn't be forced to adopt the franchised dealership model "especially when the new manufacturer has not asked any dealerships to place any investment in distributing its vehicles, developed a more efficient alternative, and will not sell any vehicles also offered for sale by a franchised dealer." Dealerships don't seem to buy the logic that Scout's clean slate entitles it to a different sales model than its fellow VW Group brands. The question is whether the federal government will and whether, if it does, it actually has the authority to strike down state franchise laws. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
STV News
01-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Council considering Clyde Tunnel toll and congestion charge
Glasgow is considering bringing in a driver congestion charge and Clyde Tunnel toll as Transport Scotland suggests the city could take a 'leading role' in looking at a new scheme. The local authority has expressed interest in rolling out driver charges that would only apply to people who don't live in the city. But a regulatory check is to be carried out before councils can introduce the system – and that is not likely to happen until after next year's Scottish Parliament elections in May, a meeting heard. Councillor Angus Millar told last week's full council meeting: 'The council has no specific proposals to introduce any road user charging in Glasgow. 'However, members will be aware that the council has repeatedly stated its interest in further exploring possibilities around a boundary congestion charge and potential tolling at the Clyde Tunnel – both with exemptions for Glasgow residents.' The convenor for climate, Glasgow Green Deal, transport and city centre recovery added: 'Council officers continue to engage with Transport Scotland and COSLA, particularly in relation to national commitments to reduce car vehicle mileage and the potential roll out of road user charging as a travel demand management tool. 'Transport Scotland has expressed interest in Glasgow and Edinburgh taking a lead role in exploring road user charging and we anticipate further discussions with City of Edinburgh Council in establishing their interest.' Explaining how legal details are to be firmed up, the SNP councillor said: 'We welcome the recent commitment from Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to undertake legislative and regulatory review to establish how the process can be clarified for local authorities to take forward and this is a matter I have engaged with officials and other councils on via COSLA.' He added: 'We will engage in the coming legislative review to ensure Glasgow is well positioned to consider any developments.' His comments came after Scottish Green councillor Blair Anderson asked for an 'update on proposals for road user charging in the city following the Scottish Government's recent commitment to empower councils to introduce schemes.' Welcoming the continued interest in the scheme, Councillor Anderson said the 'only way we can meet our climate targets is moving people from cars to public transport.' He added: 'A road user charging scheme would give us the money to make Glasgow's buses publicly owned, reliable, fast and free.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
This check will happen before Glasgow Clyde Tunnel toll charge
The local authority has expressed interest in rolling out driver charges that would only apply to people who don't live in the city. But a regulatory check is to be carried out before councils can introduce the system – and that is not likely to happen until after next year's Scottish Parliament elections in May, a meeting heard. Councillor Angus Millar told last week's full council meeting: 'The council has no specific proposals to introduce any road user charging in Glasgow. However members will be aware that the council has repeatedly stated its interest in further exploring possibilities around a boundary congestion charge and potential tolling at the Clyde Tunnel – both with exemptions for Glasgow residents.' The convenor for climate, Glasgow Green Deal, transport and city centre recovery added: 'Council officers continue to engage with Transport Scotland and Cosla particularly in relation to national commitments to reduce car vehicle mileage and the potential roll out of road user charging as a travel demand management tool. 'Transport Scotland has expressed interest in Glasgow and Edinburgh taking a lead role in exploring road user charging and we anticipate further discussions with City of Edinburgh Council in establishing their interest.' Explaining how legal details are to be firmed up, the SNP councillor said: 'We welcome the recent commitment from Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to undertake legislative and regulatory review to establish how the process can be clarified for local authorities to take forward and this is a matter I have engaged with officials and other councils on via COSLA.' He added: 'We will engage in the coming legislative review to ensure Glasgow is well positioned to consider any developments.' His comments came after Scottish Green councillor Blair Anderson asked for an 'update on proposals for road user charging in the city following the Scottish Government's recent commitment to empower councils to introduce schemes.' Welcoming the continued interest in the scheme, Councillor Anderson said the 'only way we can meet our climate targets is moving people from cars to public transport.' He added: 'A road user charging scheme would give us the money to make Glasgow's buses publicly owned, reliable, fast and free.'
The National
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government 'running scared' of LGBT conversion therapy ban
On Friday, ministers revealed that criminalising conversion practices, interventions that would seek to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, are no longer on the government's immediate agenda. Instead, the Scottish Government has said it will 'work' with the UK Government on legislation taking a four-nations approach. If this is unsuccessful, ministers said they will publish a Scottish bill in the first term of the next parliament, after the Holyrood 2026 elections. READ MORE: Why has the Scottish Government dropped LGBT+ conversion therapy ban? Blair Anderson, from the End Conversion Therapy Scotland campaign, accused the Scottish Government of 'running down the clock' on the issue. 'The announcement from Friday was confirmation of what we have suspected for a long time, that this obviously isn't a priority for the Scottish Government, they're running scared of the issue,' he told The National. 'They just don't want to talk about sex and gender because of the situation [with] the Supreme Court, which has put them in a very difficult position. 'Rather than having to choose between two sides, they've decided to just not have the debate at all, frankly.' Anderson previously told The National about his personal experiences with conversion practices, and how vital a ban would be. In April, the Supreme Court ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, a woman is defined by 'biological sex', excluding transgender people with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). The ruling has had a significant fallout, and the Scottish Government cited it as one of the reasons it had dropped plans to criminalise misogyny. The consultation phase of plans for a conversion therapy ban was concluded in January 2024, with legislation expected to follow soon after. However, Anderson, who is also a Scottish Greens councillor in Glasgow, said ministers could have banned conversion practices 'literally years ago' but there is now an 'absence of political will'. (Image: Blair Anderson) 'With the Supreme Court, the EHRC toilet guidance and everything else, I don't see a universe where the SNP starts talking about sex and gender any time soon,' he said. Anderson (above) added that while he understood the Scottish Government said they wanted to take time to get the details right, they took so long that they have now 'lost control of events'. He pointed to the debate around the Gender Recognition Reforms (GRR), the Westminster Tories blocking the legislation which would have allowed transgender people to self-identify as their acquired gender, and the recent Supreme Court ruling. 'It's just very frustrating from the Scottish Government perspective, by acknowledging that they can go their own way with this bill but are choosing to hand power over this decision to Westminster totally flies in the face of what should be the Scottish Government's constitutional approach to this argument,' Anderson said. 'It's just not true to say that they are particularly animated by a securing uniform approach across the four nations, that is entirely secondary to them wanting to not have to stand up in parliament and take a side between LGBT rights and people who oppose them. READ MORE: Are Donald Trump's Scottish businesses actually a financial success? 'And I get why, for political reasons, but ultimately, it's LGBT people who suffer from that.' The UK Labour Government put forward plans for a conversion therapy ban in the 2024 King's Speech, but no solid plans have emerged. Anderson said the latest move was 'demoralising' and that his campaign's next move would be to push for parties to commit to banning conversion therapy in their Holyrood 2026 manifestos. He added: 'Every single day between now and then, LGBT people will be subjected to conversion therapy in Scotland, completely avoidable because of political cowardice of being too afraid to just stand up and see what a few years ago would have been an almost absolute position. 'We shouldn't be subjecting people to this harmful, pseudo-scientific, ineffective practice just because of sexuality or gender identity. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) 'A few years ago you would have struggled to find a politician who isn't prepared to stand up and make that statement, and now you would struggle to find a cabinet member who would, and who would be able to stick to the guns on that and say, as a result, we should do this sooner rather than later.' Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart (above, right) said the Scottish Government 'remains absolute' in its commitment to ending conversion practices. 'We will continue to work with the UK government on legislation extending to Scotland, that applies across all settings and protects all ages, is trans-inclusive and does not include any exemption for consent,' she said.
Associated Press
19-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Blue Door Realty Group Joins Property.ca to Strengthen Growing Talent Roster
Inc. Brokerage ( is pleased to announce the latest milestone in its ongoing expansion: the integration of Blue Door Realty Group (Blue Door). As of December 4, 2024, Blue Door has fully transitioned into meeting all Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) and Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) compliance requirements. 'The addition of this incredible team represents another step forward in our commitment to bringing together top-tier real estate professionals,' said Blair Anderson, Broker of Record and VP of Operations for Inc. Brokerage. 'Blue Door's reputation for excellence and strong presence in both residential and commercial markets make it a natural fit for our brokerage as we continue to grow.' This integration follows a period of rapid expansion for which continues to attract high-performing teams through its cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights. Jeff Benoliel, General Manager for Inc. Brokerage, emphasized the strategic fit between Blue Door and 'We are highly selective about the teams we bring into our brokerage, ensuring they align with our culture of professionalism, innovation and client service,' said Jeff. 'From our first conversations with Blue Door, it was clear that their values and approach to real estate were in perfect alignment with ours. We are delighted to welcome them.' Founded by Dimitri Kalkounis, Blue Door has supported over 550 families since 2017, building a reputation for integrity, expertise and a client-first mentality. The team brings 15 experienced agents to further strengthening the brokerage's talent roster. 'Our priority has always been to provide the best possible service to our clients while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for our agents,' said Dimitri. 'Joining allows us to maintain our unique identity while benefiting from the brokerage's unparalleled technology and resources. The synergy between our teams has been evident from day one, and we are excited for this next chapter.' As part of its ongoing commitment to equipping agents with industry-leading tools, continues to enhance its proprietary technology suite through myAbode. Being able to leverage a fully integrated real estate technology ecosystem allows agents to optimize their workflow, access real-time market data and insights and provide an enhanced client experience. The integration of Blue Door further strengthens growing network of real estate professionals. With more expansion opportunities on the horizon, the brokerage remains committed to providing its agents with the best opportunities to thrive in Canada's competitive real estate landscape. To learn more about joining and unlocking new opportunities for your team, visit About Inc. is a licensed real estate company with over 300 agents and six offices across the Greater Toronto Area. It operates three high-traffic real estate websites: and created to offer buyers and sellers rich information that enables clear, informed decisions. made The Globe and Mail's Canada's Top Growing Companies list, after merging the and brands in 2018. SOURCE: Inc. PUB: 02/19/2025 08:05 AM/DISC: 02/19/2025 08:06 AM
