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Plan To Sell Scout Vehicles Directly To The Public Has California Volkswagen Dealers Hopping Mad
(cleantechnica.com)
this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2024
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What does this mean? Where else can you buy new cars from but the dealership? Isn't buying from a Volkswagen dealership the same as buying directly from the manufacturer?
Nope. In the US we have a system enshrined in state laws that cemented a layer of middlemen between auto manufacturers and consumers. These middlemen are called dealerships. They typically run showrooms, sales, and service for one manufacturer and hold a stock of vehicles on site.
These guys made so much money fucking consumers over they're universally distrusted. "Car salesman" is a dirty profession in the US. Because they don't really add value to the process and had a ton of money, they lobbied aggressively to protect their fiefdoms to state governments and successfully made it illegal in many states for a manufacturer to sell directly to consumers.
Awful system. I hate buying a car because of it and go to extraordinary lengths to lie and cheat their system when engaging with them, as they're doing the same by default.
It's worth noting that they aren't just lobbyists, in many states the legislature is largely made up of real estate agents and car dealers.
Interesting. I'm not sure how it's different where I'm from. I've always just imagined that walking into a Nissan dealership is equivalent to walking into an Apple store.
Though on the other hand I only buy +10 year old cars so it's not really something that concerns me so I haven't put much thought into it.
I agree about the car salesmen though. They're professional bullshitters.
It's like walking into an Apple Store, but the store is run by a 3rd party that jacks up the price and it's the only place you can legally buy a new iPhone.
It isn't the same, not by a long shot. And the whole "where else can you buy new cars from" thing is exactly the problem. Dealerships are independent businesses that have deals with manufacturers. There are many shady laws that keep people dealerships in business and price out, or completely prohibit someone trying to buy directly from the manufacturer, which would greatly reduce cost.
You want to know about shady? Every Subaru car or part sold anywhere in New England goes through Ernie Boch Jr. Six states, 64 dealerships, and all have exclusivity on Subarus. You can't not give him a cut if you want a Subaru.
https://www.cartalk.com/blogs/craig-fitzgerald/every-subaru-sold-new-england-comes-guy