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Diagnostics, Tuning, Modifications and Maintenance - all Hondas => Dealers & Insurance => Topic started by: Rory on September 06, 2019, 05:20:18 PM

Title: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Rory on September 06, 2019, 05:20:18 PM
Oh dear, not good reading: https://www.am-online.com/news/latest-news/2019/06/19/honda-uk-plans-to-cut-up-to-55-sites-in-the-next-two-to-three-years

The snag with so few dealers is it takes away choice - even where we are (rural mid Cheshire) there's five VW dealers within reasonable reach.  For Honda, it's just one (used to be four).

Must admit I've always been baffled how the glass palace dealer at Cheshire Oaks keeps going.  It's always deserted - yet they never answer the phone.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Jocko on September 06, 2019, 05:22:10 PM
The future of selling cars will be buying on line, I fear. How you are supposed to try before you buy is beyond me.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: MartinJG on September 07, 2019, 12:35:30 AM
The future of selling cars will be buying on line, I fear. How you are supposed to try before you buy is beyond me.

Probably be delivered by an Eastern European contract courier on quota rates and dumped on your drive with a 30 day cooling off period and returnable in a stamped addressed envelope if not satisfied.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Rory on September 07, 2019, 12:03:24 PM
The future of selling cars will be buying on line, I fear. How you are supposed to try before you buy is beyond me.

I think test driving cars is very over-rated - you can't tell much from a quick trip around the block.  When I had company cars we used to get cars left with us for a month for people to try - you'd get in one and think you didn't like it, but after a couple of days you get used to it.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: ColinS on September 07, 2019, 12:10:03 PM
The future of selling cars will be buying on line, I fear. How you are supposed to try before you buy is beyond me.

I think test driving cars is very over-rated - you can't tell much from a quick trip around the block.  When I had company cars we used to get cars left with us for a month for people to try - you'd get in one and think you didn't like it, but after a couple of days you get used to it.
My brother was part of the committee (why is that not a surprise?) in the admiralty that chose fleet cars.  They got cars for weeks at a time and shared them round.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Rory on September 07, 2019, 01:02:15 PM
My brother was part of the committee (why is that not a surprise?) in the admiralty that chose fleet cars.  They got cars for weeks at a time and shared them round.

For high level influencers, there'd typically there's be all sorts of other stuff too - trips to car launches in nice places, tickets for the grand prix etc etc.

For fleet drivers though, most manufacturers still have programmes that will deliver a car to home or office and leave it for a few days.  I had a Honda Accord on test under such an arrangement.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: ColinS on September 07, 2019, 01:15:40 PM
My brother was part of the committee (why is that not a surprise?) in the admiralty that chose fleet cars.  They got cars for weeks at a time and shared them round.

For high level influencers, there'd typically there's be all sorts of other stuff too - trips to car launches in nice places, tickets for the grand prix etc etc.

For fleet drivers though, most manufacturers still have programmes that will deliver a car to home or office and leave it for a few days.  I had a Honda Accord on test under such an arrangement.
Yeah, I think he was director of the office in Glasgow at the time, or possibly in Whitehall.  Back in the days of the British Leyland Slush Fund.  Remember that?  My brother never did get any backhanders though.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: peteo48 on September 07, 2019, 05:08:24 PM
Just mulling this over. We might get to a position where getting your car to a dealer becomes inconvenient at best and almost impossible at the worst. I wonder if servicing would then be outsourced in some way. In the recesses of my brain I seem to recall that one lesser known car maker used the Halfords network for a time - can't remember which one.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: VicW on September 07, 2019, 05:52:07 PM
I seem to recall that one lesser known car maker used the Halfords network for a time - can't remember which one.

Heaven forbid!

Vic.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: hemming on September 07, 2019, 05:54:22 PM
I think it was Daewoo who used Halfords - possibly for both sales and servicing?
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: peteo48 on September 08, 2019, 10:47:49 AM
Spot on! It was Daewoo. I remember seeing them parked at a Halfords in Altrincham. This must be 20 years ago.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: MartinJG on September 08, 2019, 01:28:32 PM

It does not surprise me that a company like Honda are gradually withdrawing their exposure in the UK market. Increasing compliance, costs and shrinking margins give them every excuse to pull out. Far better to concentrate in markets (emerging markets) where they have more elbow room and scope for growth.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: culzean on September 08, 2019, 03:15:50 PM

It does not surprise me that a company like Honda are gradually withdrawing their exposure in the UK market. Increasing compliance, costs and shrinking margins give them every excuse to pull out. Far better to concentrate in markets (emerging markets) where they have more elbow room and scope for growth.

Spot on - Honda never had massive sales in Europe anyway, despite their engineering excellence.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: olduser1 on September 08, 2019, 06:14:27 PM
All dealerships under quite a degree of pressure based upon regional targets, ie you'll take xx this month or else, hence the turnover in dealeships.
The days of garages selling cars to their customers went west when finance deals took over the vehicle is incidental take aloan for £199 forever we'll include MOT for life etc etc
+ the add on's GAP special paint protection - more 'ppi' claims to come I reckon.
You can still pick up a buy at huge places like Motorpoint for near new, as for new cars who knows now that lobbyists run the EU
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: John Ratsey on September 09, 2019, 02:20:10 PM
For me, the most interesting part of that article was:

"Honda has recently introduced its new CR-V hybrid and the new Jazz hybrid’s April arrival will be followed by a new Civic and HR-V.

Deliveries of the brand’s first full EV, the Honda E, will start in Q1 2020.
"

Which puts a timeline on the arrival of some new models.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Jocko on September 11, 2019, 09:57:39 AM
I popped into my local Honda dealer, this morning, for a look round (I had an errand next door), and I was talking to the salesman about the number of Honda dealers closing. He said it was to do with the switch to Hybrids and EVs, and the expensive training required for staff. It would appear the dealer has to pay for that, not Honda.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Rory on September 11, 2019, 10:11:22 AM
At a time when they're expanding the range you'd think they'd want to keep as many dealers as possible.

Not surprised they have to pay though - in a survey of franchise holders, Honda was voted the worst one to have.  Honda UK MD went absolutely bonkers and I noticed recently they were "most improved" - I wonder how much the dealers were lent onto provide the right answers.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: richardfrost on August 25, 2020, 11:45:58 AM
Just received a letter from Honda telling my local Halifax dealership is no longer a Honda Service franchise. Their Huddersfield main location is still a full on Honda dealership and service agent. But they are a mile down the road from Toyota, where I bought and service my RAV4. Part of my reasoning for returning to Honda was that they had a dealership in Halifax. Now that advantage has been eroded.

I suppose it it possible I could drop my car in Halifax and let them take it to Huddersfield for service and bring it back, but then just extends the time they would have the car.

So now I am back considering the alternatives again. Huddersfield (and Bradford) have dealerships for all the main brands. Halifax now has just Peugeot, Nissan (soon to be extinct in favour of Renault in the UK I heard) and Misubishi.

I have no other reason to go to Huddersfield except to get my car serviced/fixed, and there is little else I can do there whilst the car is off the road. It's a 90 minute returh trip (if a courtesy car is offered) so basically I lose half a day whenever my car needs to go to the dealer. I was really hoping that would be different if I returned to Honda for my main car.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: John Ratsey on August 25, 2020, 01:04:02 PM
So now I am back considering the alternatives again. Huddersfield (and Bradford) have dealerships for all the main brands. Halifax now has just Peugeot, Nissan (soon to be extinct in favour of Renault in the UK I heard) and Misubishi.
And you'll soon be able to cross Mitsubishi off the list https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/352852/mitsubishis-uk-exit-full-details-and-what-it-means-owners .
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: richardfrost on August 25, 2020, 01:12:22 PM
So now I am back considering the alternatives again. Huddersfield (and Bradford) have dealerships for all the main brands. Halifax now has just Peugeot, Nissan (soon to be extinct in favour of Renault in the UK I heard) and Misubishi.
And you'll soon be able to cross Mitsubishi off the list https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/352852/mitsubishis-uk-exit-full-details-and-what-it-means-owners .
Hmm, well the Honda dealership was also the Mitsubishi one, so maybe the whole place will close. It is highly unlikely I will choose a Peugeot so it looks like I am left with Hobson's choice!
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: sparky Paul on August 25, 2020, 01:18:01 PM
And you'll soon be able to cross Mitsubishi off the list https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/352852/mitsubishis-uk-exit-full-details-and-what-it-means-owners .

Is this the beginning of a longer term Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance plan to focus on regional brands?
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: culzean on August 25, 2020, 01:34:49 PM
And you'll soon be able to cross Mitsubishi off the list https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/352852/mitsubishis-uk-exit-full-details-and-what-it-means-owners .

Is this the beginning of a longer term Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance plan to focus on regional brands?

Like Toyota and Suzuki cooperating to build Hybrids at Burnaston plant .. ( and in other things )

Pretty much every car company is in another ones pocket these days of astronomical development costs...
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: sparky Paul on August 25, 2020, 02:24:32 PM
Like Toyota and Suzuki cooperating to build Hybrids at Burnaston plant .. ( and in other things )

Pretty much every car company is in another ones pocket these days of astronomical development costs...

Yes, but Toyota and Suzuki (part owned by Toyota) will continue to sell their own unique vehicles built on the same platform, as most car manufacturers share technology these days.

This is different - it's looking like the Nissan and Mitsubishi names may eventually disappear from the UK.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: richardfrost on August 25, 2020, 03:15:31 PM
Well if the Nissan dealership goes to Renault, I could live with that. I had a Renault 5 GTX 1.7 in the '80s and it was a wonderful but stupidly fast car. I had a top of the line Laguna in 2003 and that was stupidly luxurious. My first car with leather and built in sat-nav. However I did have my sights set on a nearly new Jazz 4 or Crosstar.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: RichardA on September 20, 2020, 11:53:46 AM
Nissan are still a big brand in the UK, with the Qashqai a strong seller. I'd be suprised if they pulled out of the UK.

Renault used to enjoy a healthy slice of the UK market, something like 5% approx. 15-20 years ago?. Those days are long gone now.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Basil on December 18, 2021, 08:22:04 PM
I recently had an email from my local Honda dealer in South Wales to say they will no longer be selling new Honda vehicles as "Honda want to operate their new vehicle sales from the big Cities".

The dealer will continue to sell and service used Hondas and they will be adding Renault and Dacia to their existing Suzuki, Fiat, Abarth and Jeep franchises.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: peteo48 on December 19, 2021, 10:34:46 AM
It's the way it's going. Our Honda dealer in Warrington now has an MG franchise sitting alongside the Honda brand. We've got 3 MG dealerships in Warrington now.

Not just Honda though. Warrington a fair sized town with probably 250,000 in the conurbation and the main Vauxhall dealer closed a couple of years ago. This is when it gets inconvenient - do you ask for a courtesy car, do you sit and wait?

I wonder if service hubs will be the way forward.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Rory on December 19, 2021, 11:16:24 AM
"Honda want to operate their new vehicle sales from the big Cities".

Find it surprising that Liverpool doesn't have a Honda dealer, and it's the kind of place where people don't readily go outside the city.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: aphybrid on December 19, 2021, 12:23:23 PM
Honda have never very actively marketed their excellent cars but have relied on customer loyalty which then lead to complacency and lack of body design attractiveness to newer customers.

Strategy also pretty useless when you look at some of the models introduced that just did not sell as will the horrid E thing being marketed just now

Yet there was one car that  was really good for a very definite market niche - the Logo, but they let Nissan dominate this sector with the Micra.

Hopefully Honda will exist long enough for me to become dis-interested in driving or the need to.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: Rory on December 19, 2021, 04:22:09 PM
Honda have never very actively marketed their excellent cars but have relied on customer loyalty which then lead to complacency and lack of body design attractiveness to newer customers.
........

Our loyalty came from great after-sales service at the independent dealer (Two Mills) that we used.  When Honda shut them down and gave the franchise to Holdcroft's Cheshire Oaks they were just awful - neither of our Hondas go there any more and, never say never, but I can't see us having another Honda.  I get the impression Honda UK isn't as supportive of dealers now as they used to be so the dealers aren't bothered.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: MartinJG on December 19, 2021, 05:09:02 PM
Let's face it, dealerships are/have largely been a necessary evil for the public and manufacturers alike. The growing trend in markets has been to gradually erode the 'middleman' and given the the calibre of the typical dealership 'geezer' on the dealership floor it will not amount to much of a loss. In view of the increasing reliability combined with electric power trains, we might even see a growth in accredited mobile Honda servicing franchises with direct fringe benefits on cost/replacement etc. all amounting to a more hassle free approach, especially when you consider declining real 'ownership' of vehicles.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: dfconnolly on December 19, 2021, 05:43:25 PM
I’ve had Hondas over the last 20 years originally based in Wirral and now North Wales. North Wales Honda have been very good on service (not competitive on sales). They will be relocating and merging the dealership with Kia at a new build site in Llandudno. The next nearest dealership is 50 miles away at Cheshire Oaks (Holdcroft franchise). Just bought a demo Jazz from Holdcroft Warrington which had faults on that they should have rectified pre-delivery. Sorted by North Wales Honda. I remember dealing with Saunders Chester, Two Mills and Liverpool Honda and all used to be very good. It’s disappointing to see these big companies like Holdcroft complacently ruling the roost!.
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: MartinJG on December 19, 2021, 05:55:03 PM
I’ve had Hondas over the last 20 years originally based in Wirral and now North Wales. North Wales Honda have been very good on service (not competitive on sales). They will be relocating and merging the dealership with Kia at a new build site in Llandudno. The next nearest dealership is 50 miles away at Cheshire Oaks (Holdcroft franchise). Just bought a demo Jazz from Holdcroft Warrington which had faults on that they should have rectified pre-delivery. Sorted by North Wales Honda. I remember dealing with Saunders Chester, Two Mills and Liverpool Honda and all used to be very good. It’s disappointing to see these big companies like Holdcroft complacently ruling the roost!.

Corporate domination has never been good for the consumer. Economies of scale on the one hand are undone by lazy and poorly motivated staff. There is always room for the nimble and smart independent for those of us who do not wish to waste our pennies on air con/coffee machines/brochures/fashion accessories/clothing allowances/expensive leases/rent/markups etc
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: madasafish on December 19, 2021, 07:02:19 PM
I always found Holdcroft 's Stoke on Trent branch excellent
Title: Re: Lots of Honda dealers to close.
Post by: E27006 on December 20, 2021, 03:09:49 PM
I seem to recall that one lesser known car maker used the Halfords network for a time - can't remember which one.

Heaven forbid!

Vic.
That was Daewoo,  whose products did not exactly set customers a-glow, my neighbour was an early adopter, bought a new Nexia,  he drove the car for 5 years, around 25,000 miles then one by one electrical gremlins came out to play,  the final straw an intermittent corruption  of the software code within the  ECU,  cutting his losses he traded for a new Hyundai i10, receiving a pittance for the Nexia,  an expensive lesson for my neighbour