Late last month, in Canberra, there was a Senate Inquiry discussing the plan put forward by Honda and Mercedes-Benz to introduce fixed pricing across their dealerships.
Honda has already committed to roll out a fixed-price agency model from the middle of next year, whereby its showroom numbers will be slashed dramatically to cater to the move. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz intends to make the switch in early 2022.
What impact might fixed-price agency models have?
The move is set to limit new car buyers’ ability to negotiate the price of a new car, as dealers will effectively be hamstrung by set pricing from the manufacturer. In turn, dealers will receive a flat fee, but they won’t have to wear the expense of carrying their stock of vehicles – currently, a major cost and imposition for many dealers.
What are the concerns?
Speaking at the Inquiry on the potential changes was the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). While a US-centric association, it has voiced concern around the move based on observations in the US market. The body’s executive vice president, Andrew Koblenz said, “as the Ford dealer will tell you his greatest competition is not necessarily the (General Motors) dealer or the Honda dealer, it’s the Ford dealer down the street who is going to be his greatest competition”.
In US regional markets where there is only one dealer for a brand, data points towards higher prices for new car buyers than those where there are more than one dealer from a particular brand. On that basis, NADA warns the removal of “inter-brand” competition could hit consumers, with their wallets more likely to feel the pinch.
Adding to his earlier comments, Mr Koblenz said, “the presence of inter-brand competition lowers the prices that consumers pay. The elimination of inter-brand competition … would raise the prices of cars for consumers.”
In a similar manner, the Australian Automotive Dealers Association (AADA) shares those concerns, for all parties involved. In fact, AADA warns that it could even put some dealerships under financial strain, which would have a broader impact for the new car industry.
The government’s role
The Inquiry is leading to mounting pressure for the federal government as far as the need to introduce legislation that will not only protect dealers, insofar as employment, but help protect consumers from the risk of higher prices. Currently, however, there is no legislative framework that would necessarily prevent the transition to a fixed-price agency model from occurring.
What do you believe will happen when these brands and any others transition to a fixed-price agency model? Should the government introduce legislation to better protect the interests of dealers and consumers?
To get FREE access to instant pricing on just about every new car make and model, plus guaranteed discounts, sign up today
