Salesperson trash-talks Tesla to potential Ioniq Electric buyer
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
A potential electric vehicle buyer in Brisbane has posted on social media about being rebuffed and then talked down by two separate Hyundai dealerships when making an enquiry to buy an Ioniq Electric.
reports the buyers were left waiting at a Brisbane Hyundai dealership for a pre-booked test drive that never eventuated.
Giving up on that dealership, the buyers decided to visit a rural dealership whereupon they found that there was not an Ioniq Electric available to test drive because according to the sales person they encountered: “We don’t really sell many of them, they’re just too expensive”.
The sales person also questioned why they would want an electric car and he further launched into a five minute tirade about how “Americans make bad cars, and honestly, Tesla is the worst of the bunch”.
In the article titled “Why do you want to go electric?” Some car dealers only want to sell ICE, lead reporter for The Driven Bridie Schmidt says many car dealers are simply not interested, or don’t have the information, to deal with EV enquiries.
She says it speaks to both a cultural problem (information and bias) and a broader issue for the car industry as it adapts to changing technology and a changing business model.
Schmidt says the buyers in question, who wish to remain anonymous, shared their experience in an electric car enthusiasts group.
She reports that Hyundai Australia declined to comment when contacted by The Driven, however the buyer in question has since confirmed that the Brisbane-based dealership has reached out to rectify the situation, and that they will test drive the Ioniq Electric soon.
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My wife was rubbished by Nissan Takapuna. We had our Leaf in for service – Went over to the salesroom while the car was in the workshop and was approached by the salesman. She expressed an interest in the new Leaf and he walked away leaving her standing alone – Not that he had Anything else to do.
She really was in the market to buy a new EV. Clearly the sales force need to get on board with the rising demand, or risk being left behind.