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Tesla also struggles with this, and I think it's because of their direct model. If Rivian uses dealers they should have an easier time in theory. It strikes me
by carlivar 8y ago
Tesla also struggles with this, and I think it's because of their direct model. If Rivian uses dealers they should have an easier time in theory.
It strikes me that Rivian is combining the advantages of electric vehicles with the advantages of auto industry know-how, instead of independent hubris.
- greglindahl 8y agoLots of people have theories as to what Tesla's problems are, but you'd be hard-pressed to find many Tesla owners who think they'd be better off with a dealer. I can name several things Tesla ought to do better, and none of them have anything to do with dealers.
- carlivar 8y agoParts supply logistics and repair times wouldn't improve with dealers?
- kwhitefoot 8y agoNo, it would simply add another layer of annoyance, indirection, and excuses to an already fraught situation.
- newnewpdro 8y agoIf Tesla can't supply enough parts introducing a dealer layer won't make the parts magically appear. It would add more overhead to the transaction and if history is any indicator, sleazy interactions and business practices thrown in as well. I'm fairly confident once the dust settles Tesla owners will be happy to not have auto dealers in their lives. There's just a teething period while Tesla ramps up to a mature manufacturer at scale.
- greglindahl 8y agoAs a data point, Tesla isn't very good at delivering body parts to independent body shops. I don't see why dealers would be any more successful at nagging them. I also suspect it's a lot easier for Tesla to fix their parts problem than it is for dealers to stop being smarmy.