What is the origin of America's "Car Dealership" system, which seems to be giving Tesla such a problem these days?

by postmodest

How did this system originate? Did manufacturers ever sell cars directly? How are dealerships-who-financed-through-GMAC different to direct sales?

Searocksandtrees

hi all! This post references current events, but don't let that distract you: per this subreddit's 20-year rule, do confine all responses to events/conditions prior to 1995 only. Thanks!