That this structure is the product of the wider imperatives of the auto motive sector is illustrated by the replication of similar retailing structures across the developed world. In no major market are there large independent retailers with autonomous purchasing and marketing strategies and indpendent logistics systems. In the United States, whilst the approach to auto- motive retailing is different to that in Europe, retailers are still franchises dependent on the instructions of the VMs. In the United States and the rest of the Americas automotive retailers have traditionally been holders of stock.