Just passed a Tesla dealership that was so over full that 25 or so cyber trucks were parked in the grass next to the dealership. I googled to see if there was an existing photo and found this one of the same situation in Dallas. Lol.
They have dealers. They don't call them dealers. There may be differences in pricing and pay versus other companies' dealerships, but it's what they are.
They're important, they're the only people authorized to work on a Tesla without voiding the warranty, and are the only people who can get parts.
Tesla has lots of dealerships and showrooms! They're just owned by Tesla rather than an "independent" dealer.
It simultaneously highlights the benefits of direct sales, and also why dealerships are important to push back on lemons and bad products from the manufacturer.
Like. Car dealership owners are petty tyrants to a man, they're American aristocracy and the seat of American fascism, but also they're the only people in a position to be responsible and say "I'm not accepting delivery of this shit these panel gaps are wide enough to put my hand in! sideways!!"
It's specifically that dealer networks have an adversarial relationship with manufacturers and because they're responsible for warranties and repairs they're incentivized to inspect vehicles and reject delivery of shoddy crap