While I’m not meaning to defend car dealers, I’d just like to point out every business has overhead. If a business has reduced inventory they have to mark up what they have or go out of business. Car dealers have a lot of very expensive real estate. Their shop and parts depts will support themselves, but that lot and showroom and the back rooms have to rely on sales. The inventory shortage is killing them. You think it’s bad for the customer, imagine being a salesman on commission with nothing to sell, or a manager with huge bills due and nothing to sell. Just saying shortages and unintended consequences aren’t all just pure supply and demand issues.
How dare you be logical about such an emotional topic!