ARE CAR DEALERS DOOMED? AUTOLINE AFTER HOURS 581

EV Channels Review

This episode of Autoline After Hours tackles the evolving landscape of car sales and the future of automotive brands. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the diminishing relevance of traditional dealerships, exacerbated by current inventory shortages and rising prices. The panel highlights how consumers are increasingly open to online purchasing, with predictions that a quarter of global auto sales could be online by 2025. The conversation also delves into the potential of vehicle subscriptions, with a majority of executives believing they will be competitive with sales and leases by 2030, and a strong sentiment that OEMs, not dealers, should control these offerings. The potential entry of tech giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon into the automotive market is explored, with the consensus being that their primary motivation is data acquisition. Finally, the future of performance vehicles is debated, questioning whether electric powertrains can replicate the visceral excitement of traditional muscle cars, though the panel acknowledges that EVs can offer comparable fun and performance, albeit with a different sensory experience.