Tesla shifts all sales worldwide to online only

rcjordan · March 01, 2019, 03:34:30 AM

Elon Musk memo about cheaper Model 3, store closures
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/28/elon-musk-memo-about-cheaper-model-3-store-closures.html

Rupert · March 01, 2019, 06:12:35 AM

Quote Littleman:

QuoteSeems like all the corporations are in a race to downsize, no one wants to be the last below deck.

Not great news for Car sales jobs. I am sure there will be more now, with a discount for those who buy online.

Mackin USA · March 01, 2019, 09:14:44 AM

https://www.carvana.com/

We have one in Raleigh next to the 440

Drastic · March 01, 2019, 07:30:08 PM

Do we really need car salesmen?

rcjordan · March 01, 2019, 07:42:57 PM

Quote"The car salesman, unfortunately, goes away. The whole stigma of the car salesman is gone" as well, predicted one car dealer. "There will be a minimal need for sales managers. Service managers and technicians will still be needed, but on a limited basis because the battery life on the electric cars will keep getting better and the service intervals will be less. F&I? I see that department completely going away."

QuoteOverall, "You need far less people working, and their job description is more of product presenters" rather than salespeople, the dealer said.

2017 article:
Future dealers need product presenters, not salespeople
https://www.autonews.com/article/20171126/INDUSTRY_REDESIGNED/171129856/wanted-product-presenters-not-salespeople

rcjordan · March 01, 2019, 07:46:03 PM

<added>

According to NADA there were 16,794 franchised dealers in 2018. Even if they only average reducing the sales staff by 4, that's a crapload of fairly high-earning jobs lost.

Rupert · March 01, 2019, 07:53:27 PM

QuoteDo we really need car salesmen?

Most of the ones I have met have just irritated me. So no, not for me.

(Thats probably more about me than them)

But Teslas announcement hit me between the eyes... I think this is seismic.

rcjordan · March 03, 2019, 05:06:06 PM

This is a slobbering, fawning fanboi article but the points about skirting US state dealership laws are worth a read.

Tesla Online Sales — Bigger News Than $35,000 Model 3 | CleanTechnica
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/03/01/tesla-online-sales-bigger-news-than-35000-model-3/

ergophobe · March 03, 2019, 09:31:51 PM

Quote from: rcjordan on March 03, 2019, 05:06:06 PM
the points about skirting US state dealership laws are worth a read.

They are. Once you stop and think about it, you realize you have known these things all along, but they were just behind a diaphanous curtain, not quite clear enough to understand what's there.

littleman · March 03, 2019, 10:05:04 PM

>Do we really need car salesmen?

Aren't there a bunch of state level hurdles against selling cars directly to consumers? I suppose they must have worked those out.

ergophobe · March 03, 2019, 10:08:32 PM

Quote from: littleman on March 03, 2019, 10:05:04 PM
Aren't there a bunch of state level hurdles against selling cars directly to consumers? I suppose they must have worked those out.

Discussing that question is what forms the bulk of the article that RC posted. Interesting read if (like me) you know nothing about how the car sales network works.

ergophobe · March 04, 2019, 04:12:42 PM

Tesla owners protest price drops that apparently coincide with the move to online selling

https://electrek.co/2019/03/04/tesla-owners-protest-price-cuts/amp/

littleman · March 04, 2019, 04:58:15 PM

This reminds me of when Levi dropped their price in Japan and sales went down. A good chunk of Tesla's buyers are in it for the status symbol aspects. I think it is the right move in the long run though -- assuming this isn't a camouflaged liquidation.

rcjordan · March 04, 2019, 05:15:28 PM

QuoteWith the base price cuts, the FSD package is back and enhanced autopilot is gone. In place of EAP is simply Autopilot which is now priced at $3,000. That lower price comes with the loss of those enhancements, Navigate on Autopilot, autopark and summon which are now part of the FSD package. FSD is now priced at $5,000 on top of the autopilot package which is now limited to adaptive cruise control and lane centering, features that come at no additional charge on many cars that cost up to $15,000 less than a Model 3. Those features that cost a not insignificant $5,000 as recently as Thursday morning now cost $3,000 more. The same pricing changes also apply to the Model S and X.

As Tesla Slashes Sticker Prices, It Quietly Raises Cost Of Autopilot Features
https://www.forbes.com/sites/samabuelsamid/2019/03/01/as-tesla-slashes-sticker-prices-it-quietly-raises-cost-of-autopilot-features/