Going and buying a BMW on occasion or a Mercedes Benz or a Ferrari is actually an experience. The smell of the leather, the scent of the petrol, the cappuccino coming out of the antique machine in the dealer's showroom is all an experience. Luxury items are an experience. The basics are about convenience. If you can substitute it at a relatively low cost, then you will.
Alternative channels depend on the customers.
Alternative channels will also be driven by manufacturers who want to get direct access to their customers instead of going through intermediaries. Automotive manufacturers make very small margin on the actual manufacture of motor vehicles. All the people downstream, those that sell it, those that service it, those that provide spare parts, those that provide the finance for it, and the insurance board, are the ones that make all the money. You will see manufacturers more and more come into channel conflict with the retailers because they want to get ready access to consumers that they otherwise wouldn't be able to get through normal distribution means. They are seeking to increase the margin that they take for actually creating the economic world and value by producing that product.