Their expertise in the luxury field is well-honed and their operations are world-class. Their customer base is extensive. Customers visiting their showrooms for those other premium brands will be introduced to Fisker, and possibly converted to the marque. Whereas Tesla is a sole location — those going there have only the option of Tesla, and if they don't know about the brand, will not visit in the first place (unless well-targeted marketing reaches them).

Fisker benefits from its dealers' long-standing reputations in the community, and places the burden of CAPEX for new 'green' showrooms on those well-capitalized dealer partners (who recognize value in the investment). Tesla, on the other hand, must spend millions setting up their own new facilities and recruiting staff to manage their untested, unproven business model. They have no previous customers because they have no other brands and they have no 'past'.

The Fisker dealers are not in places like "Kansas City" and not "selling Fords" as your analogy to DeTomaso suggests. They are in the largest metro-wealth markets across the country.

Take a look at the differences between the executive management. Fisker is run by prominent auto industry veterans; highly regarded by dealers and celebrated by the industry media. Most people I know (who could afford vehicles over $50,000) would prefer to buy a car from the company whose founder spent years designing world-acclaimed Aston Martins and BMWs, and whose dealers are experienced and knowledgeable.