What do you think?
No more dealerships? Manufacturer direct? Online only?
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
I personally smell a setup.
Their new SDV (software defined vehicles) are a potential nightmare.
You will own nothing and will be happy....
Their new SDV (software defined vehicles) are a potential nightmare.
You will own nothing and will be happy....
I saw this video come up on my recommended and haven't watched yet. I'll have to tonight or tomorrow.
But I believe the sales departments as we know it shouldn't exist anymore. Just have a service department where everyone is paid hourly/ salary and once you've ordered your car, go pick it up there at service.
Only downside being not being able to test drive. But people have been buying cars without test drives for 2 years and that doesn't seem to be causing much issue so far. I'm someone who wants to test drive, but how much can you really feel from a 3 to 5 mile drive?
This is strictly for manufacturers.
On the other hand, used car sales could remain the same but only at independent car lots. You still need test drive and the ability to take a car for an inspection as no 2 cars are the same. The direct sales from places like caravana aren't super great, because I constantly see people needing further work done when they buy these cars sight unseen.
But I believe the sales departments as we know it shouldn't exist anymore. Just have a service department where everyone is paid hourly/ salary and once you've ordered your car, go pick it up there at service.
Only downside being not being able to test drive. But people have been buying cars without test drives for 2 years and that doesn't seem to be causing much issue so far. I'm someone who wants to test drive, but how much can you really feel from a 3 to 5 mile drive?
This is strictly for manufacturers.
On the other hand, used car sales could remain the same but only at independent car lots. You still need test drive and the ability to take a car for an inspection as no 2 cars are the same. The direct sales from places like caravana aren't super great, because I constantly see people needing further work done when they buy these cars sight unseen.
2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 6spd, 2019 Mustang Bullitt
Joined
·
15,420 Posts
Hmmmm, i do hate dealerships. Idk. Its weird. I may never buy another Ford anyway though, lol
Joined
·
63 Posts
I feel like there's a possibility that if dealerships can't make money thru marking up cars... They will find a way to put that mark up in service/ parts. Also, doesn't Tesla basically do this currently? From working in dealerships, I do agree that they are way too chaotic. And then you throw it in the fact that sales/ service/ parts employees are paid on base + commission, customers really do get the short end of the stick. I don't know of a solid solution though. I don't think Ford is going in the right direction with this
Klaus schwab loves this. Also the focus is the last ford I will ever buy.
Dealers suck, I'd rather buy from the manufacturer for a set price. That being said I wouldn't buy a new car unless I was forced to. I don't like owning things that 1) I don't actually own and 2) I can't readily repair.
I hope they all go out of business for being greedy little ****s.
I hope they all go out of business for being greedy little ****s.
Joined
·
3,933 Posts
yeah my thoughts exactly... well i may buy another ford but it wont be anything new lol. If my focus was totaled overnight, strong chance i wouldn't get a replacement ford right now
Joined
·
3,933 Posts
also, in case anyone wasnt aware, the guy in the thumbnail, aka Ford's CEO...he's this guy's cousin:
![Dress shirt Jaw Sleeve Gesture Collar]()
Joined
·
279 Posts
I wonder if the dealer accessories would also come delivered from the manufacturer, or if there will still be an opportunity for them to add some of those accessories upon delivery
2016 ST2, Shadow Black, E30, MonsterFMIC, GFB DVX+ BPV, ALEX' ShiftBushings, PCV-OCC, Innovative RMM
Joined
·
4,021 Posts
Tesla now has class action lawsuits going for not being able to repair independently, so they'd have to be careful with a new business model.
Tesla hit with right-to-repair class-action lawsuits alleging monopolistic practices
Tesla hit with right-to-repair class-action lawsuits alleging monopolistic practices
Only if the lawsuits go somewhere, and continue to be viable options. Whenever the government decides that this is OK behavior by manufacturers we're all boned.
Joined
·
724 Posts
Yes to the crackdown on the dealers, absolute no to the software-defined vehicle.
Wait for it......
![Jaw Gesture Smile Font Eyelash]()
They can't legally do it here yet. It's going to take years to untangle the dealer protection laws.
I actually like the dealership model. Some thinks direct buy will make pricing go lower or better service, but I just don't see that. Dealer competes with each others; if I don't like pricing or service from one dealer, at least I can go somewhere else. In direct buy model you are bound to one system, one pricing and there is not inventory pressure for them. You order the car at their asking price and you wait. And yes, they can jack up the price with a few key strokes.
That used to be the case. We now have these massive dealership conglomerates that have taken competition out of regions. Used to be able to travel to the next town, get a price, and take it back to the first dealer to let them beat it. Now the dealer in the next town over is owned by the same guy.
It's also screwing people when it comes to any vehicle that has a limited production number. We're all car people here, which means we're interested in these models. Well, unfortunately for us, they treat a car that has a 10,000 unit per year production run like it's a model with 200 per year production run and they allow for bidding wars, markups, and other unacceptable ****ery.
Joined
·
724 Posts
The dealership model worked for the customers after since Edmunds and other places started releasing invoice pricing for vehicles back in the day. However, after the pandemic, things have changed. If I recall correctly, automakers have wisened up to the notion that they do not need to produce that much inventory that could cause overstock conditions and corresponding price cuts. Several websites report that car buying will never be the same in terms of favoring the customer as it once was, regardless of the dealership or direct-buy channels.
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
