[PLenz]

The GM streetcar conspiracy basically gave dealerships to already politically connected individuals in return for killing off streetcars - the payoff being that the busses that replaced (poorly, hence encouraging private car ownership) would be bought via the dealerships. Car dealership owners are often car dealership owners because of adjacency to power, not the reverse.

[slt2021]

that explains all the sleazy sales practices coming from stealerships.

regulatory capture + dishonest sleazy sales practices = happy middleman, but suffering consumer and car manufacturer