Yup. The purpose of these laws was to make sure that local dealerships remain open, providing local jobs. They don't want all the jobs going to Detroit (these l

Yup. The purpose of these laws was to make sure that local dealerships remain open, providing local jobs. They don't want all the jobs going to Detroit (these laws were passed in the 1950s, when there was fear that the automakers would use their own dealerships to drive the local dealers out of business). So they made it illegal for automakers to sell cars retail. It's similar to the laws making it illegal for you to pump your own gas (hello, Oregon!). Someone had a bright idea that by requiring that some service be performed, it will create more local jobs, even if you don't need or want to pay for that service. You may be able to do buy a car all on your own, but there is a web of state laws that says you are required to use a middleman.