You can now buy used Ford vehicles on Amazon

Direct-sales bans and dealer power

• Commenters ask why manufacturers are barred from selling directly in most states.
• Explanations given: mid‑20th‑century franchise laws to protect dealers from being undercut by manufacturers; desire to ensure local service/parts at a time when logistics were weaker; and heavy regulatory capture by politically powerful local dealers.
• Some frame this as “protecting local labor” and town keystone businesses, analogous to anti‑offshoring protections.
• Others argue the laws are now mostly rent-seeking by dealers, not consumer protection.

Tesla, service control, and right-to-repair

• Tesla is cited as an example of direct sales plus tight control over repairs and parts.
• Complaints: restrictions on third‑party/used parts, difficulty for independent mechanics, and supply‑side suppression of a third‑party parts market.
• Counterpoints: Tesla does sell many parts and publishes manuals/diagnostic software, but access can be costly.
• Broad agreement that right‑to‑repair legislation would be a better consumer safeguard than protecting dealerships.

Vertical integration debate

• One view: vertical integration tends to be bad for competition and can let firms lock up parts and distribution.
• Counterview: vertical integration can improve quality and reduce dependence on volatile supply chains, and does not inherently imply monopoly.
• Some nuance: larger players benefit more from vertical integration, which can reinforce dominance even if it doesn’t cause it.

Dealers vs online platforms

• Strong dislike of in‑person dealership haggling and upselling; some welcome anything that reduces contact with salespeople.
• Others value in‑person inspection and same‑day mechanic checks, especially for used cars.
• Experiences with Carvana/Shift/Cinch vary: praised for hassle‑free buying and return windows, but criticized for quality issues, pushy financing, and post‑sale problems.

Amazon’s role and incentives

• Many note Amazon is just a lead generator/front end; the local Ford dealer still delivers, adds options, and handles warranty.
• Speculation that Amazon’s main motive is advertising revenue in a lucrative auto market.
• Some doubt Amazon can profitably ensure thorough inspection and support on used cars; others note traditional used dealers manage this, though often with lower standards.

“Pre-owned” language and trust

• Debate over “pre‑owned” vs “used”: some see it as harmless euphemism, others as deceptive corpspeak exploiting negative connotations of “used.”
• Confusion over whether “pre‑owned” implies “certified” and extra warranty; several emphasize that “certified pre‑owned” is a distinct category and the details matter.