Something has happened to the self-applied nomenclature for auto dealerships

Well, I think you are all right. They are not a "store", but they want you to think of them as a "store".

They don't want you to think of them as a place where you go to check out the latest models, or to kick the tires.

They want you to think of them as a "Convenience Store" where you go to pick up your snacks without concerning yourself about the price, or your waist line [or climate change].

It's just the next evolution of sales execution.

The whole idea is to get us past the idea that shopping for a car is anything more than shopping for Doritos.

If they're smart, they'll throw in a Doritos with your Durango. :)