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I read a story that Volvo is trying to experiment with selling cars online, but isn’t going all the way. They still want to keep the dealers in the loop. Will we ever see the day when we can build and configure cars online and have them delivered to us? Is it even a good idea?
Have you read any of the stories about Tesla trying to sell its cars factory-direct ( no francised dealers)?? They are getting resistance in most all states from existing dealers wanting that made illegal, if it isn't already.
If you could order direct, where would you go for warranty service etc ? The Volvo dealer I know does not even like the "European delivery" method.
If Tesla were given the right to sell direct, and they needed a service network, they would find a way to make it happen. Maybe at the proposed "battery-swap" stations.
I for one, get tired of the state governments protecting one industry or business plan to the detriment of new ideas and methods. They need to get their noses out of it.
Service can be arranged. A whole new industry will pop up to cater to factory direct sales. It is not that people are enamored with dealer service. I remember reading back in the 80s and 90s that you could buy directly from Detroit using brokers. Don’t know if they are still around.
There is no reason it could not happen, except that the national dealers association(s) are a strong and powerful lobby, with a lot of political influence. They have managed to mostly protect insistence on cars being sold through the dealer networks.
The Chinese-owned Swedish automaker says it will gradually build up its web offerings...and eventually it wants to have every model available on the internet. Just last week AutoNation (AN) announced it was moving to online sales. General Motors (GM) and Toyota (TM) have started their own pilot programs on the web. And of course electric carmaker Tesla (TSLA) has been the model for buying cars in a non-traditional way.
I went into a dealer armed with research and prices and they still tried to screw me with a surprise rebate they added only as a line item to the finance papers when we were about to sign the paperwork. Basically they were trying to keep a rebate for themselves. I can't believe how low they will go.
If Tesla were given the right to sell direct, and they needed a service network, they would find a way to make it happen. Maybe at the proposed "battery-swap" stations.
I for one, get tired of the state governments protecting one industry or business plan to the detriment of new ideas and methods. They need to get their noses out of it.
Tesla already has a service network. There is a service center in most major cities, regardless of how Tesla cars are sold in that state. Anyone that buys a Tesla in Texas bought it from Tesla in California. The car is shipped to their location in Texas.
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