Car dealer story

[Big_John]

I really believe one regional super store selling all brands, both new and used, is in our future. The manufacturer closely controlled "dealer" model is going the way of the dinosaur. Similarly, the endless parade of look alike cars and trucks will dry up. This will reduce manufacturing costs and prices will drop. If the number of options get reduced to the point where cars and trucks become standardized, I can see purchasing a new vehicle with a mouse click for Amazon overnight delivery. The brand might even be Amazon instead of whomever actually built it.

In a similar way, I see "Big Box Service Centers" where any car or truck of any brand will receive full service and full access to factory parts and factory trained mechanics. Everything from warranty work to collision repairs. We already have a taste of this in Calgary where a number of dealers formed a collision repair center for "All Makes". I've used it twice and in each case the repairs were reasonably priced and were factory quality. I see this as the death of the "ma and pa" body shops and their questionable repairs. There will always be restoration shops that go far and beyond factory quality.

Already here: Driver's Village Automall in Cicero, NY They are actually in a defunct shopping mall.

 

[300rag]

Already here: Driver's Village Automall in Cicero, NY They are actually in a defunct shopping mall.
Another. Multiple locations in multiple states too. https://www.fuccillo.com/

Up here, the multi-manufacturer model doesn't exist. You couldn't have a Pontiac/Chevrolet dealer, let alone a Chevrolet/Nissan store. We had a Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer merge with a Chev/Olds dealer. The new building had to have separate showrooms to keep the original brand lines apart, but they shared the parts/service department, and had a combined used car department.. You could walk between the two adjoining showrooms to view the different car lines. With the demise of Pontiac and Olds, the merge happened. I am sure that at some point we will have that type of superstore given that some of the dealer groups have many brands in their portfolios already.

 

[300Nutter]

My best buying experiences have always been a private purchase from previous owner. Next has been buying from a public auction. My few dealer purchase have been less than thrilling. But that’s just me. Your mileage and the person discussed by the OP, may vary.

 

[commando1]

Already here: Driver's Village Automall in Cicero, NY They are actually in a defunct shopping mall.

WOW. That is scary on several levels.

 

[300Nutter]

Yeah..that many sales guys under one roof....a bit frightening.