As EV converters, we are our own mechanics and electronic technicians.
If something breaks or goes "psst" in a cloud of smoke, we can not go to
our local mechanic or auto dealer and say "Here, fix it". We come to
the EVDL for help in designing, building, understanding, and maintaining
our vehicles. We are our own "Consumer Reports".
With a Tesla or any other vehicle for that matter, auto dealers, have
trained staff to help you in test driving a vehicle or providing trained
mechanics and electronic technicians to sort out car problems. With
regard to test driving a vehicle, I like to sit in a vehicle and then
test drive it. Are the seats comfortable or will I end up having to see
a chiropractor after a short trip? Are there any pronounced blind
spots? What makes this a better vehicle than all the rest? For that
experience, I do not mind paying the salesperson a commission for his
(or her) time and efforts. They do not work for free. If Tesla wants
to set up Tesla only shops and pay someone an hourly wage and/or by
commission, I have no problems with that.
I think Mr. Musk is missing an opportunity in that a dealer network can
provide more opportunity for sales and service. Nowadays, many
dealerships have more than one company franchise. A mechanic and an
electronics technician trained over several types of vehicles is less
likely to be idle.
The other part of the picture is that the car companies can pressure a
dealer to take on excess inventory or cut deals to promote their
vehicles and I would not put it passed main stream car companies to
thwart competition if they can. The last financial statement had Tesla
making a profit through the selling of carbon credits but losing money
on each vehicle sold:
http://www.ibtimes.com/teslas-first-ever-profit-came-thanks-selling-zero-emission-credits-competitors-it-insists-its-not
If Mr. Musk wants to sell EVs his way, I have no problem with that.
There is growing EV competition to prevent him from becoming a
monopoly. I like to see this entrepreneur get the breaks he deserves
for taking the chances he did leading up to a 99 on a Consumer Reports
evaluation of the Model S. I signed the petition.
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