VW dealers / NADA may sue to change Scout's direct-to-customer business plan

[Foobar]

Do VW dealers now assume they should be able to sell Audis, Porsches and Lambos just because they fall under the VAG umbrella. Honestly, as 40+ year VW owner, their dealers are one of, if not the biggest, failure the brand has. As others have said, I’ll cancel my deposit if I need to buy from a VW dealer.

Agree - and why just VW? Perhaps Porsche dealers should be able to sell them too. And why stop there? Let Ducati dealers sell Scout, Porsche, and VW vehicles... we can play this game all day.

 

[Donnie]

Zero chance VW dealers win this one. Dealers know their value is diminishing - so they have to fight but it’s useless.

Every OEM would do away with dealers if they could and weren’t bound contractually. VW set this model to compete with Tesla and Rivian.

What will be interesting is to see how Scout works with certain states that do not allow circumventing dealerships with direct-to-consumer. I believe South Carolina has no Tesla or Rivian offices because SC doesn’t allow it. Will SC change since they are building the Scout? I guess so since you’ll be able to take delivery at the factory (like BMW).

Currently I live in one of those dealer locked states but I would assume they would process it just like Tesla. I purchased my Tesla all through the app and it has tabs where it requires info like loan, license etc. Then on delivery date I went to the closest Tesla service station which for me is in Pensacola, FL around 45 mins to hour away. They then mailed me a packet that I took to the DMV to register my vehicle. The agent only needed to see the vehicles vin to confirm paperwork. Went very smooth So for me I loved the whole process and it went very smooth. Much better than any dealership purchases where they hold you hostage for hours of time to force deals. I would possibly even change my mind if they were forced to sell through dealerships. We own a VW and my local dealers service department sucks. I don’t go anymore and do all my service myself now. However, if Scout still would offer picking it up at their plant then I would like to do that route. Especially if they would credit the delivery fee back to you. I would love to take the scenic route back from the plant and enjoy my new truck.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Dealers have had a monopoly for decades, and Tesla and EV start up's are bringing it down.

Hope VW wins.

 

[timmyhil]

Dealers have had a monopoly for decades, and Tesla and EV start up's are bringing it down.

Hope VW wins.

Why do you hope VW wins?

we want Scout to win

 

[Foobar]

Why do you hope VW wins?

we want Scout to win

I presume he means he hopes VW Auto Group wins against the VW dealerships.

 

[timmyhil]

I presume he means he hopes VW Auto Group wins against the VW dealerships.

Ohhh okay

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I presume he means he hopes VW Auto Group wins against the VW dealerships.

Yes, this, sorry to be unclear.

I loathe the entire dealer experience, high pressure BS sales tactics, constantly telling my wife we're gonna die if we don't get a fuel system treatment, that our vehicle is in demand, bait and switch pricing...

I'm not signing a deal with 8k in warrantys and paint protection on it because you gave me a free cup of coffee.

I hate that they make me go in there and verbally abuse them every time.