Fisker and Tesla taking different approaches to dealerships

Both Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors are bringing electric-powered luxury sedans and convertibles to market, but each is going about it in entirely different ways. Fisker's strategy, steered by former BMW and Volvo sales director Vic Doolan, is to license independent dealerships – some of the biggest in the country – to sell their premium green automobiles on their behalf. Tesla's approach, on the other hand, is to set up factory-owned stores which the company likens to Apple stores.
Of course, each approach has its benefits and drawbacks. For Fisker, makers of the Karma sedan and upcoming Karma Sunset convertible, selling through existing dealers promises to streamline the process, tapping into professionals already savvy to the local market, capable of dealing with customers and able to exchange used cars. Tesla, on the other hand, which makes the Roadster (pictured right at the company's LA store) and upcoming Model S, wants to more directly manage the sales and service process with its own retail outlets. However, that comes at the cost of rapid expansion. So far Tesla's only got stores in California, though additional locations are planned for Chicago, New York, Seattle and Washington, London and more.

[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]