Why doesn't Tesla sell through dealerships?

“By the time most people decide to head to their local dealer, they have already pretty much decided what car they want to buy, which is usually the same make as their old car. Tesla, as a new carmaker, would therefore rarely have the opportunity to educate potential customers about Model S if we were positioned in typical auto dealer locations.”

— Elon Musk, 22 October 2012 · Archived copy ↗