Dealer disruption

THERE’S BEEN raging debate around automotive showrooms across Australia on several fronts, sparked by GM’s ill-handling of Holden dealers. Yet there’s no denying that the rise of the internet and global juggernauts like Amazon and Uber Eats has impacted the way Australians buy almost everything.

But what about the process of buying a new car? Here in Australia, the traditional dealership model has hardly changed – at least until the last 24 months or so, with carmakers and dealership groups at loggerheads once again.

Mercedes-Benz Australia is the second brand in as many years to announce a shift away