How many lawn equipment dealers are needed?

So, if the auto manufacturers only need but a third of the dealers they've been selling through, just how many lawn equipment dealers do there really need to be? Once upon a time there were over 30k. Then 20k, then 15k, now more like 10-12k who sell a good amount of equipment, as opposed to primarily just parts and service. We all know what Deere is doing: They're confident they can dominate with something like 1,500 multi-location dealerships. Where is the industry headed? ~ Gregg Wartgow, Yard & Garden editor-in-chief