I live in Connecticut and back in 2020 I had to pick up my Model Y in Mount Kisco. In 2022 did the same for my wife’s Model Y. I worked in the automotive business for about 20 years, the last 10 years at new car dealerships. Approximately 2 or 3 years ago there was a push to introduce a Bill to allow direct to consumer sales of new vehicles in the State. Around that time I was talking to a friend that was working for Hoffman Auto Group. She told me that employees were getting emails from their employer, advising them to vote against the so-called “Tesla Bill” because if they allowed the bill to pass they could lose their jobs. As much as I would like to see more Tesla stores and service centers in the State, I believe it won’t happen anytime soon because of the Automotive Retailers Association and either corrupt or uniformed politicians. It is not about consumer choice but about keeping the monopoly and Politicians getting their donation and support from the Automotive Retailers Association.
Stellerships are a den of thieves. I have bought plenty of new vehicles, and have lots of horror stories. In 2022 bought a new Ram 3500 brought it home that night it left 4 large puddles of oil on the shop floor from the shocks. They tell me that's normal and the warranty won't cover it. The truck also downshifts two gears randomly at 70 mph and over revs the engine. They said let the engine blow warranty will cover it. I hate stellerships with a passion. Buying online can't be any worse, good for Tesla.
If it angers car dealers then it’s probably consumer friendly and good for the citizens. Leave it to the government to screw their constituency and bow down to the slimiest SOBs around.
The switch from dealership model to consumer direct has been happening in the bicycle industry for the last 3-5 years and the shops that fail to adapt are the ones going out of business. Just like bike shops, car dealerships could absolutely adapt to this same switch. They'd mostly become a service center with limited stock for demos that the manufacturers pay them for.
I'm glad Rivian is here. II'm not sure when they will open the service center, but I'm glad to see they are almost done. I'm looking to purchase an R2 since it will be affordable. Keep the vids coming.
The entire state is only about 25% larger than Los Angeles county so I think only one dealer option is pretty doable. But I still disagree with the state's regulations.
In 2020 I purchased a Tesla Model 3 while living in Concord, New Hampshire. I dealt with the Boston Tesla Showroom for the purchase. I am not sure of why I had to buy the Model 3 in New York and drive to Mt. Kisco to pick it up. From NH to Mt. Kisco is a very lengthy drive. It came with temporary New York plates and registration. I am thinking that NH must be like CT and not allowed to sell Teslas.
