Dealers are a legally protected market in many states, which ban manufacturer-direct sales of cars. This is why in many states (including Texas), Tesla only has

Dealers are a legally protected market in many states, which ban manufacturer-direct sales of cars. This is why in many states (including Texas), Tesla only has showrooms, not dealerships. (You need to fill out a purchase online and can't pick up any inventory from the, ahem, showroom.) No reason why Ford couldn't do the same, except that many dealerships which were independent are now owned by a few conglomerates who have a keen interest in preventing the loss of their business.