Dealer Groups are Up In Arms About Potential for Scout and Sony Afeela to Sell Cars Directly to Buyers

Dealers are often the first group to sound concerns when something changes in the auto industry, whether they’re justified in their complaints or not. Most recently, a state dealer association created an ad asking Volkswagen Group and Sony Honda Mobility not to sell their upcoming EVs outside of the existing dealer network over concerns the new divisions could follow Tesla and Rivian in selling directly to buyers.

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  • Jeff I might buy a new bicycle in the next year but a new vehicle no.
  • Lou_BC This article is meaningless without reporting the facts around each incident. 16 incidents versus an average of 10. Is it because Rivian is new to the game?
  • Lou_BC It would encourage indebtedness. Start a business if you want more write-offs.
  • Bullnuke This is bogus. I specifically remember being told by an American Honda area manager that all Honda vehicles are perfectly designed and built completely without flaws and are perfect in all respects when driven off the dealership lots. Any issues occurring after that, including the reverse gear teeth being milled off during operation of this perfect vehicle with 8k miles on the clock, are due to owner irresponsibility, misuse, and abuse. That'll be $3200 for this perfect Honda transmission, please.
  • AZFelix Since hydrogen is a less dense gas similar to helium, expect a final roller coaster of emotions when you start screaming in a high-pitched squeaky voice "Oh the humanity! Oh the humanity!" as everything around you bursts into flames.