The recent Forum article extolling Connecticut automobile dealerships’ efforts on electric vehicle adoption is self-serving hypocrisy and pure mendacity. A few years ago these same dealerships successfully blocked Telsa showrooms from Connecticut. More than anyone else, these dealerships have impeded adoption of EVs in our state.
Tesla is by far the most advanced EV on the market. When Connecticut residents want to test drive a Tesla they have to travel to New York or Massachusetts. When I purchased a Tesla, I did so online. There was no middleman local dealership to take a cut. I’ve had my Tesla for four years and my maintenance and repair costs have been limited to an annual visit. The updates are all done automatically over the internet at no cost.
In my opinion, Connecticut automobile dealerships are trying to build a moat around sinking ship. GM, Ford and the rest are still operating on a business model developed in the 1950s. No one needs privately owned dealerships with their salesmen, warrantees, add-ons and extremely overpriced mechanics.
The future belongs to electric vehicle companies that start with a clean slate. Tesla developed the business model: develop an efficient battery and design the vehicle as a computer on wheels with a minimum of moving parts. Put company showrooms in each state or metropolitan area, with no salesmen, no commissions. Sell the vehicle online at a set price with few add-ons. Tesla set the standard, but there are other EV companies in various stages of development.
Shame on the newspaper for publishing this misleading article on Connecticut automobile dealerships. How about an investigation of this cabal’s continuing successful blockade of Tesla showrooms in our state?
Richard Mangi
North Haven
