Stephen Norman, MD of Vauxhall has spoken out against the trend for vast and lavishly decorated car dealerships. 
READ: BUYING IN TO A FRANCHISE
Speaking on a webinar interview with Autocar Business he questioned: “Why would you want to make even a premium brand customer pay a proportion of a 24 hour illuminated cathedral, which is only actually open for business for eight hours, that has designer sofas and lights and people wearing uniforms?”
“For me this is the antithesis of modern society” he said, adding, “I’m not suggesting that anyone wanting to buy a new car should have to go onto some Arthur Daley-style car lot, but there is no need to build something that resembles a men-only club on Pall Mall”.
READ: FORD TO CLOSE HALF OF UK DEALERSHIPS
Norman’s comments came as he spoke about a wide range of topics with Autocar’s Steve Cropley. Subjects under discussion included Brexit, the future of UK car production and the perceived ‘Britishness’ of the Vauxhall brand and how it has a point of differentiation from other PSA brands. The whole interview can be viewed here.
On the same day that Citroen announce a new flagship store for West London. Vauxhall & PSA – same company. Obviously the new site was planned & constructed pre Covid. Its just the irony.
Refreshing to hear this but a bit rich considering that Stephen has been part of the system for so long. Car manufacturers have for decades applied pressure to dealers on minimum standards, while at the same time, squeezed them on margins.