Yeah but a Model 3 LR basically costs the same as a Civic Type R. It’s not really a cheaper or more affordable option, as the word “democratization” would imply.

While I agree with you, it's still kind of hilarious to be referring to a $100,000 vehicle as "democratization".

Yes, the point being made is that Scout being sold direct is functionally the same when it comes to their relationship with the existing VW dealership network as “making a new dealership network”. In either case, VW dealers ain’t got a say.

That doesn’t matter. Whether someone else (or nobody) has the ability to sell Aston Martins doesn’t change whether or not Ford dealers do.

Let’s put it this way.

The problem isn’t the “low volume luxury EV” part of the equation.

I live in Texas. Graduated high school in rural West Texas. Went to elementary school in Houston and did sixth grade in El Paso.

Seven grand lol.

“I can’t imagine how you could not determine that a vehicle didn’t fit you on an extended test drive.”

They do teach it, people just do not pay attention.

Yeah nah.

See, this is why we can’t have nice things.

If manufacturers actually had the ability to brainwash people into wanting their cars, no manufacturer would ever go bankrupt.

Lol, that ship sailed long ago.

Not always.

I mean, if you just need it for “image” then just rent it on the few occasions you need the image.

That’s what all the other lenders did.

Thing is, she agreed to a loan of $403 a month for 72 months. That works out to her agreeing to pay back $29,016. That’s what her loan was worth. Not the $17,000 price of the car.

To be fair, the actual ProPublica article is better at articulating the real problem.

To be fair, the auction was in 2021. Used car prices were ridiculous then due to the pandemic shortages. Can't really expect them to have predicted that ahead of time.