There are reasons why the manufactures are phasing down on dealerships. Among these are:
1. Efficiency/ cost savings
2. Customer relations (eliminate bait- and- switch, junk fees, markups, hidden charges, and bull sheit sales practices that leave customers unhappy or feeling ripped off )
3. Technological developments - the internet enables customers to order easily exactly what they want (and avoid getting coerced into paying for features they don’t want)
There is a hate/hate relationship between manufacturers and dealers. Most states even have tried to pass legislation protecting the consumer against stealerships. No deal.
The ideal solution would be to eliminate the middle man (dealer) and go direct from manufacturer to consumer.
I understand Kia and Amazon are trying to iron this out. I hope they do.
Side note on the hate/hate relationship: Buick has said dealers must spend $400,000 on retrofitting for EV’s. Dealers said no. They can’t afford that. so half the Buick dealers in the US have quit that franchise. Can you blame them?