Mitsubishi dealerships closed down

[astede]

I've had my GX4h since early July and very pleased with it but now I've just been told the local dealership where I bought it (and expected to get it serviced, obviously) is one of two nearby being closed down (SW London/ Surrey). Doesn't seem to be consistent with their plugging new business sales of the PHEV through expensive TV ads. More to the point, I will now have to go miles any time I need to get it serviced. I shall be pressing for a courtesy car else I'll be twiddling my thumbs all day, hanging round their place while they twiddle with my car. I might have thought twice if I'd known they were going to pull this one on me. I can't be alone in being very annoyed, but of course they've got my custom already. It may put off new buyers if they just leave us without decent support in place.

 

[maby]

Surely these are all franchises, aren't they? I doubt that it is a Mitsubishi decision to close it - more likely the owners of the garage deciding that it is not sufficiently profitable. It's not only Mitsubishi - we've lost our local Toyota dealership in the last few years and have to travel quite a long way to get work done on the Landcruiser.

 

[astede]

Well the CCR Motor Co website describes itself as "The Official Site of Mitsubishi Motors UK" and the letter came from their 'Group Aftersales Manager' who stated "due to a company restructure we are closing these branches" .

 

[greendwarf]

Maby is right - they are franchises but the relationship between manufacturer and dealer is always fraught, at the best of times (my father was dealer liaison for many years for Ford). It is very similar to the position of tied houses in the pub trade. The manufacturer pushes costs down to the dealer and sometimes holds the dealer's money in their bank account. However, the dealer is the public face of the manufacturer and can significantly harm the brands reputation.

So it could be the dealer giving up the franchise (they are usually part of a larger organisation themselves) or it could be Colt's decision, as claimed. It could also be that the franchise in that area will be taken up by another firm.

 

[Stu]

My local dealer is discontinuing his Mitsubishi franchise. I was made aware of this when I got the car though and I was given the details of the next nearest dealer for servicing.

 

[astede]

That may be the case and, if it is, it seems to me all the more important that the manufacturer itself, having presented itself as the public face of the dealership, should ensure existing customers continue to enjoy an after-sales service that is (a) fit for purpose and (b) shows it will not turn its back on them, such as at least making a courtesy car available free of charge when the vehicle is in for service at a significantly more-distant service centre.

 

[Ozukus]

Mitsubishi Bromley was closed to be replaced by Mitsubishi Shirley.

This is a Masters franchise and got to say that the building looks more like a cheap used car motor dealer than a branded new vehicle sales location.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3772889,-0.0262033,3a,37.5y,180h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sVh9v77GZg5OLbi8_UU5eMg!2e0!6m1!1e1

That is only their sales centre their service centre is in Bromley at the Masters Mazda site from what I could work out, not that the dealer bothered to provide any information like that, mind you didn't actually bother to provide any information at all really, so not unexpected.

 

[Chrismac13]

My local dealer is discontinuing his Mitsubishi franchise. I was made aware of this when I got the car though and I was given the details of the next nearest dealer for servicing.

Same here at dealer in metro centre was told after I had bought the car that mitsubishi were not going to include phev sales in their monthly target total.

 

[Stu]

My local dealer is discontinuing his Mitsubishi franchise. I was made aware of this when I got the car though and I was given the details of the next nearest dealer for servicing.

Same here at dealer in metro centre was told after I had bought the car that mitsubishi were not going to include phev sales in their monthly target total.

Aye, that's the one. I'll need to go to Boro for a service.

 

[Bilbo59]

Vic Young in South Shields has taken over the franchise.

http://www.vicyoung-mitsubishi.co.uk/#1

 

[Chrismac13]

Vic Young in South Shields has taken over the franchise.

http://www.vicyoung-mitsubishi.co.uk/#1

Yep had a letter through stating to take the phev to them, although when I spoke to the sales guy none of their services techs had been trained on the phev's.

 

[Bilbo59]

Hopefully rectified before my first service!!

 

[greendwarf]

Mitsubishi Bromley was closed to be replaced by Mitsubishi Shirley.

This is a Masters franchise and got to say that the building looks more like a cheap used car motor dealer than a branded new vehicle sales location.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3772889,-0.0262033,3a,37.5y,180h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sVh9v77GZg5OLbi8_UU5eMg!2e0!6m1!1e1

That is only their sales centre their service centre is in Bromley at the Masters Mazda site from what I could work out, not that the dealer bothered to provide any information like that, mind you didn't actually bother to provide any information at all really, so not unexpected.

Ah! Ah! another dissatisfied Masters' customer - its nice to know they didn't just pick on me (see saga as already posted). I'm going to take mine to Wandsworth (actually nearer but more difficult traffic ) for service - assuming they haven't closed down by next September :lol: