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Chevrolet is revamping its network following the termination of all 92 UK sites. The brand also hopes to recruit former Saab dealers.
The brand expects to achieve record sales of over 18,600 this year on the back of new products, including the all-new Aveo, and better supply of existing models. Chevrolet also plans to expand its network to 110 sites.
The network was issued with 24 month termination notices in December, with many dealers told they need bigger showrooms to accommodate what is planned to be a nine model line up. The process will identify which partners are prepared to invest in expanded or new premises. Dealers who already meet performance and space requirements have been issued with Dealers Sales and Service Agreement offers.
Mark Terry (pictured), UK managing director confirmed the franchise has also attracted the interest of Saab dealers following the Swedish carmaker’s collapse in December. It has already appointed its first partner Cambridge Chevrolet, which previously traded as Buckingham and Stanley Saab.
“We closed an open point and picked up a really good operator. We’re talking to three other Saab dealers and are on the brink of establishing them to take on Chevrolet. The values of a Saab operator fit very well with our strategy. They’re mostly owner-drivers and therefore take a real care and passion in there businesses.”
With around 65 per cent of the network dual franchising with Vauxhall, its sister GM brand, Terry confirmed some would need to boost the showroom presence of Chevrolet.
“This is not an anti Vauxhall strategy, it’s about dealers having the passion and focus to drive the Chevrolet business to level which we think it should be driven to.”
Chevrolet’s revamp is part of a wider initiative led by Jim Bunnell, Chevrolet Europe’s new executive vice president dealer network and sales operations and the GM executive who masterminded the overhaul of the US network which he reduced from 8,000 to 4,000 sites.
Edited by OldRoverboy on 19/03/2012 at 14:07
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