At least 16 green car dealerships that offer multiple alternative vehicles have opened in 10 states, MSNBC reports.
Customers will see more niche dealerships in two to five years, even though the obstacles, including high prices, inconvenience, expensive loans and insurance, are monumental, according to the article.
The Green Car Company of Kirkland, a Seattle-area dealership, sees an opportunity to grow. The company’s founders are courting investors and national talent who can open multiple West Coast locations and create a high-profile advertising campaign. It created a Green Car Scorecard to help customers compare vehicles. The company also launched a Green Car University Web site featuring related articles, books, videos and maps.
For green dealers, the challenge is that their stock is either used or not mainstream, said Mike Millikin, editor of Green Car Congress. As the mature automobile companies produce more hybrids, diesels and electric cars, these new vehicles will appear in the traditional dealerships and lure consumers back.
