The idea of walking into a dealer and driving off with a new pre-built vehicle from a lot where someone else chose all the equipment, color and trim, is dead. It's more or less gone in Europe since a long time ago, and the cost of having stocks of cars of older models being sold out is just too big. In Europe brand dealerships are showrooms for the latest models, little more. Obviously these showroom dealers get a cut of the profits (you buy it from them, not from the manufacturer directly, but it's built to order), but they make most of their money from aftermarket service and used car trading in the same brand. You test drive, make the hundreds of choices, and get the car in 1-3 months. If you want a car directly, get one of the used ones.

There is a lot of inertia in the US but it will be the same there.

I don't understand why dealers are upset with someone selling something directly to the customer? Apart from lobbying and inertia, are there any legitimate reasons for protecting these businesses from change?