UK Dealer and service network closures

[CRH]

Dammit this is hard to watch, guys. Brussels doesn’t even have its claws in you any longer - somehow, you have to reclaim your inner redneck (if you didn’t export all of it to Canada, the US and Australia).

We now have EU devotees in charge and in the same vein will tell is what's best for us even if that’s not what you voted for, hence the massive tax for first registration and large annual tax for a few years after.
This all getting very political, but I do think that is the problem with UK sales/dealers.
They need a huge advertising boost to get people looking as the amount that will be prepared to purchase will dwindle the closer we get to the ban, as and when it happens.

 

[Bobineos]

With regards to Heritage in Gloucester, I had an email from them saying that they will continue to service Grenadiers at their other Gloucester Branch (Honda) by David who was the IA trained tech at the Ineos Branch. So servicing is at least taken care of for those around Oxford/Gloucester which is good considering I am currently needing two services a year
They do mention that they are currently unsure whether they will deal with warranty work...

Hi, do you mind me asking what sort of price are they charging for a service ?
As I mentioned The dealer I used was £218 cheaper than my original dealer.

 

[jamesfielding]

Hi, do you mind me asking what sort of price are they charging for a service ?
As I mentioned The dealer I used was £218 cheaper than my original dealer.

Hi Bobineos,
my last service which was November 2024 - £607 incl vat

 

[beanohallett]

well received this from Ineos Automotive yesterday and also that Dave from Heritage Gloucester has been asked to look for a full time solution to the gap there - we will se what he can come up with

QUOTE
Hi Garry, thanks for reaching out. We totally understand your concerns around the closure of these retailers. We are pivoting from the current agency sales model to a traditional wholesale/franchise approach which will ultimately unlock a better customer experience.

There are currently 19 agents operating 26 combined sales & service sites across the UK, with a further 10 service only sites. The expectation is that this will optimise with 10 franchisees operating 14 core sales and service sites. Our service only footprint is expected to grow, as outgoing combined sites will be offered service-only contracts to ensure a smooth transition and retain a skilled support network for our established and future customer base. 

If this includes one of your closest retailers, you will be contacted via email with all the network changes and potential alternative locations.

UNQUOTE

so I guess we will see.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

We now have EU devotees in charge and in the same vein will tell is what's best for us even if that’s not what you voted for, hence the massive tax for first registration and large annual tax for a few years after.
This all getting very political, but I do think that is the problem with UK sales/dealers.
They need a huge advertising boost to get people looking as the amount that will be prepared to purchase will dwindle the closer we get to the ban, as and when it happens.

“I know that’s not what you said you wanted, but I’m now going to tell you why what you wanted isn’t really what you want.” You guys are going to get to the point that this is how the Five Eyes alliance works: the Kiwi’s distract the terrorists with self-deprecating humor, you guys overwhelm them with administrative paperwork for “license to operate” and energy consumption tariffs, and the Aussies, Americans and Canadians can kill them.

 

[DoubleDoom]

Has the system changed? I had to order mine direct from Ineos in 2023. I thought you still had to build on their website and order their direct. The dealer got a handling fee for PDI, prep and registering

No, its still agency but its been said several times by Lyne Calder that Ineos are looking to switch to dealer model after realising they made a mistake on that front.

well received this from Ineos Automotive yesterday and also that Dave from Heritage Gloucester has been asked to look for a full time solution to the gap there - we will se what he can come up with

QUOTE
Hi Garry, thanks for reaching out. We totally understand your concerns around the closure of these retailers. We are pivoting from the current agency sales model to a traditional wholesale/franchise approach which will ultimately unlock a better customer experience.

There are currently 19 agents operating 26 combined sales & service sites across the UK, with a further 10 service only sites. The expectation is that this will optimise with 10 franchisees operating 14 core sales and service sites. Our service only footprint is expected to grow, as outgoing combined sites will be offered service-only contracts to ensure a smooth transition and retain a skilled support network for our established and future customer base. 

If this includes one of your closest retailers, you will be contacted via email with all the network changes and potential alternative locations.

UNQUOTE

so I guess we will see.

This ties in with previous quotes from Lynn Calder who said they made a mistake with the agent model.

However, with those figures, it means 26 sites selling the vehicle will reduce to 14. Although reference to core could mean there may be satellite outlets as is the case with several other manufacturers. For example, in our region, the Audi dealership has a small outlet in one of the nearby towns where you can view vehicles, buy and service. However, it is sub branch (satellite) of the city dealership and most of its trade appears to be used vehicles.

Another trend in our area is that the dealers are going heavily into multi-brand. Usually on the same site. Although that is usually with the Chinese brands who are no doubt throwing staggering amounts of money at it to try and kill the competition.

 

[Zimm]

“I know that’s not what you said you wanted, but I’m now going to tell you why what you wanted isn’t really what you want.” You guys are going to get to the point that this is how the Five Eyes alliance works: the Kiwi’s distract the terrorists with self-deprecating humor, you guys overwhelm them with administrative paperwork for “license to operate” and energy consumption tariffs, and the Aussies, Americans and Canadians can kill them.

Four eyes. The other four aren't as gullible and myopic as Judge Cannon.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Four eyes. The other four aren't as gullible and myopic as Judge Cannon.

Let’s please keep the discussion where it belongs - mocking the British. I mean empathizing with them.

 

[CRH]

Let’s please keep the discussion where it belongs - mocking the British. I mean empathizing with them.

exactly, we never mock the Yanks or Aussies