Local CT dealer files suit to kill approved Connecticut Rivian service center

[Jac]

This may have contributed to my R1S delivery estimate being pushed back last week to 2024. Ugh.

https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/auto-dealer-s-appeal-puts-hold-rivian-move-17763639.php

Sponsored

 

[AdamsFan1983]

 

[Jamuso]

This is ridiculous. As a CT resident, I'd love to go to Shelton vs. Chelsea Ma.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I would love for a rational explanation of how dealerships are good for consumers. There won't be one though, because dealerships are NOT good for consumers. Choice is good for consumers.

 

[COdogman]

Dealerships and state dealers associations are nothing more than a protection racket.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I would love for a rational explanation of how dealerships are good for consumers. There won't be one though, because dealerships are NOT good for consumers. Choice is good for consumers.

I'd argue that dealerships can be good... But what is not good is forcing only the dealership franchise model. I would argue that letting Tesla/Rivian/Lucid do the direct-to-consumer approach while also allowing manufacturers to choose to use the dealer franchise model is best. Choice is best.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I'd argue that dealerships can be good... But what is not good is forcing only the dealership franchise model. I would argue that letting Tesla/Rivian/Lucid do the direct-to-consumer approach while also allowing manufacturers to choose to use the dealer franchise model is best. Choice is best.

How can dealerships be good? I’m genuinely interested because I got nothing. I will agree that choice is best, but only one side of this thing is trying to force their will on others. I don’t see Rivian or Tesla or anyone else campaigning to shut down dealerships but I do see dealerships trying to ban direct sales.

The only things that should be gated to authorized sellers should be stuff that has a public safety concern. Pharmacists should be the only ones selling prescription medications, liquor licenses should be a thing and gun stores should have their extra licenses to help make sure people who aren’t allowed to have these things don’t get them or can’t get them easily.

I don’t see how dealerships have an interest in public safety. I have no problem if a manufacturer wants to use them, I’m not going to tell them they can’t but having ONLY dealerships allowed to sell cars is totally stupid and all laws saying so should be repealed immediately unless someone can tell me what public safety service dealerships are providing.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

How can dealerships be good? I’m genuinely interested because I got nothing. I will agree that choice is best, but only one side of this thing is trying to force their will on others. I don’t see Rivian or Tesla or anyone else campaigning to shut down dealerships but I do see dealerships trying to ban direct sales.

The only things that should be gated to authorized sellers should be stuff that has a public safety concern. Pharmacists should be the only ones selling prescription medications, liquor licenses should be a thing and gun stores should have their extra licenses to help make sure people who aren’t allowed to have these things don’t get them or can’t get them easily.

I don’t see how dealerships have an interest in public safety. I have no problem if a manufacturer wants to use them, I’m not going to tell them they can’t but having ONLY dealerships allowed to sell cars is totally stupid and all laws saying so should be repealed immediately unless someone can tell me what public safety service dealerships are providing.

Dealerships can be good because they compete against each other. Keep in mind that "can" doesn't mean "always are". I've also said that choice is crucial.

 

[Zoidz]

It's ironic that some state and federal laws ban monopolies and restricted trade, and other state laws ban free and open trade.

 

[Jac]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. The city planning and zoning commission approval went smoothly without car dealer objection. Apparently, they were asleep at the switch. Rivian has been clear that they will not be engaging in sales at this service center, so it will be interesting to see how Connecticut courts rule. I assume they are claiming the city acted improperly in approving the service center.

 

[SDH]

Dealerships are dinosaurs and we(the consumer) need to be that asteroid for the good of mankind!

Seriously, what value do they add - apart from literally adding a 'dealer mark up'?

DTC is the way to go. The sooner car manufacturers realise this, the better.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Dealerships are dinosaurs and we(the consumer) need to be that asteroid for the good of mankind!

Seriously, what value do they add - apart from literally adding a 'dealer mark up'?

Choice for service is their #1 value add, imo. I own a Volvo and I have four dealerships within convenient driving distance -- Probably double that if I drive an hour.

The DTC auto manufacturers have comparatively awful service experiences.

Rivian is an 8 hour round trip, for me, not counting for the WEEKS they want to keep my vehicle, each time. And insult to injury: they can't fix anything and always break more stuff each time they get their mitts on my R1T.

Tesla has a SC local to me, but getting an appointment is a multi-month endeavor. And if you have an issue, you're screwed. You don't have another choice of where to go, so you just have to take whatever they give you.

I'm not in love with the franchise model, but there is an incentive for their service teams to take care of me, because I can go down the street if they don't.

 

[Rivdog]

Choice for service is their #1 value add, imo. I own a Volvo and I have four dealerships within convenient driving distance -- Probably double that if I drive an hour.

The DTC auto manufacturers have comparatively awful service experiences.

Rivian is an 8 hour round trip, for me, not counting for the WEEKS they want to keep my vehicle, each time. And insult to injury: they can't fix anything and always break more stuff each time they get their mitts on my R1T.

Tesla has a SC local to me, but getting an appointment is a multi-month endeavor. And if you have an issue, you're screwed. You don't have another choice of where to go, so you just have to take whatever they give you.

I'm not in love with the franchise model, but there is an incentive for their service teams to take care of me, because I can go down the street if they don't.

All of that is true, but shouldn’t the buyer of the vehicle decide whether it’s a risk they want to take? If you or I decide that 8 hour drive to a SC is worth the risk, then we should be able to make the purchase.

Having good, competent dealerships nearby for service is the best part about the dealership model, and perhaps the only redeeming value. But business follows the paper trail, so I don’t see how more service centers - be it Rivian, Ford, or third parties - would not continue to build out. Legacy manufacturers need service centers as much as Rivian and the only difference is that they’ve been built. Rivian, Tesla, etc., can get there too.

Legacy manufacturers don’t necessarily have good service either. The Mach E forums are littered with stories of wildly incompetent service departments with technicians who know far less about the Mach E than the owners. Some of the stories have been pretty wild. I have several Ford dealerships nearby and it doesn’t mean I’ll get even remotely competent service. At least they performed the oil change on my Mach E correctly though.

 

[lefkonj]

Dealerships belong with elevator and telephone operators. They served a purpose but that time has long since past. They provide zero benefit to the buying experience, I would counter they are costing consumers money. When I bought my BMW I4, the only thing the dealer did was push my order through the queue. I had that experience with Rivian but didn't have to pay the dealer markup/profit on top. If the world was just now starting with cars, manufactures would sell direct and dealers would be service shops.

 

[NY_Rob]

This may have contributed to my R1S delivery estimate being pushed back last week to 2024. Ugh.

https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/auto-dealer-s-appeal-puts-hold-rivian-move-17763639.php

You can use my delivery address on Long Island if you like, I'm a 10min drive from the Pt Jeff ferry.. They'd probably still make you drive in to Brooklyn to pickup the vehicle though.

Sponsored