• Car Dealer Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
No Result
View All Result
Home News
How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed

How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed

Our exclusive research, sponsored by Carwow, reveals the number of sites each brand has in the UK

James Baggott by James Baggott
February 24, 2021
in News
0

The total number of franchised car dealerships in the UK stands at just under 5,000, a new survey by Car Dealer has found.

Car Dealer contacted all manufacturers in the UK and found there are currently 4,769 franchised dealers in the UK as of the end of January 2021.

The results of the Car Dealerships Locations List, sponsored by Carwow, has found that Ford is still the largest brand by number of car dealerships.

The Blue Oval has 360 dealers – 78 more than nearest rival Vauxhall.

Vauxhall has 282 outlets and Kia is third with 190 across the country.

The full list of manufacturers can be seen at the bottom of this post.

Ford announced last year that it would be downsizing its dealer outlets across the UK and the Car Dealer survey reveals the brand has already lost 40 dealers in 12 months.

Paul Singleton, director of dealer operations for Ford of Britain, said the changes were in line with the brand’s plans, despite some operators calling it a day following the pandemic.

He told Car Dealer: ‘We have shrunk by around 40 sites in the last year. We are where we were expecting to be at this point in the network plan. 

‘We lost a few due to Covid. Not through bankruptcy, I hasten to add – we didn’t lose any that way. They simply decided it was time to give it up.

‘Some of the smaller dealers found it difficult and with the cost of the electrification changes many decided it was the right time.’

Singleton said that some of the larger dealer groups who had multiple locations in areas that crossed over also used the events of the last year to close dealerships.

Carwow chief operating officer John Veichmanis said Ford was one of the website’s biggest partners and its data showed the manufacturer was the biggest volume brand on its platform.

And he added that despite the growth in online sales, physical dealerships will remain an important part of the sales process.

He said: ‘Dealerships are a critical component in the shift to omnichannel commerce. Why? Well, we know that online consumers are more likely to switch brand as they are typically better informed due to the amount of research they conduct online via sites like YouTube and carwow.

‘They naturally build a longer shortlist and are more engaged in the process. 

‘Access to a local dealership is therefore critical in this new omnichannel world as a consumer switching brands will have more of a need to see the product and liaise with a product expert either online or face to face versus someone that is buying the same brand for the second time.’

Mike Jones, ASE Global chairman and compiler of the Car Dealer Top 100 list of most profitable dealers, said he expects to see further reductions in the coming years.

Car Dealer will be carrying out the survey annually. Most brands responded to our request for numbers, however some refused to give details and their dealer numbers were taken from their websites.

Jones said: ‘In common with Vauxhall, Ford has been shrinking its network, moving away from the large number of retail dealers they had. All networks need to ensure they have the right level of representation and I expect to see further reductions.

‘It is always interesting to note the position of Audi and Mercedes. The size of the network is much lower than many, which generates significant throughput given the volumes of cars they sell on an annual basis. 

‘This leads to significantly higher levels of overhead absorption, which alongside used car profitability, is going to be vital as we move to increased agency sales and electric vehicle sales dominating.’

Jones said he found MG’s position notable – with 120 dealers it now has the same number as Audi in the UK.

He added: ‘MG has been a real success story, frequently being a bolt-on to an existing site.

‘Dealers appear happy with the brand, particularly given the low level of investment and the electric model line up.’

Veichmanis said: ‘MG have made a big commitment to electric vehicles and it’s no surprise to see their growth, in fact we’ve seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of MG retailers on carwow in the last year, which also matches the EV trajectory we’ve seen with a 97 per cent increase in EV sales year on year.  

‘The share of total configurations for MG on carwow is also up 88 per cent year on year so we’re seeing a healthy increase in online engagement to complement the expanded dealer footprint.’

The full Car Dealerships Locations List, sponsored by Carwow, can be seen below.

This content has been restricted to logged in users only. Please login to view this content.
Tags: featured-block-6sidebar1
Please login to join discussion
Previous Post

Auto Trader to begin flagging adverts from dealers charging admin fees on top of purchase price in searches

Next Post

Feb 17 round-up: More surge testing for mutant strain; NHS to remain stretched for weeks; Bonkers Lotus racer

Next Post
Lotus E-R9 electric car racer concept

Feb 17 round-up: More surge testing for mutant strain; NHS to remain stretched for weeks; Bonkers Lotus racer

Want the latest news?

Sign up to Car Dealer's daily news email updates

Subscribe
How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed
News

How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed

February 24, 2021
Used Car Awards with Mike Brewer and James Baggott graphi
News

Who won what at the Used Car Awards 2020? Mike Brewer reveals our winning car dealers

February 11, 2021
Car Dealer issue 156 front cover and Used Car Awards
Online Magazine

Out now: Car Dealer issue 156 features our Used Car Awards, H.R. Owen CEO Ken Choo and lots more

February 23, 2021
Used car market stronger than ever as August sees sales up by nearly 50 per cent for Big Motoring World
News

Opinion: Here are 10 reasons why I think there’ll be a rapid recovery in car sales when lockdown ends

February 16, 2021
Trophy Cars forecourt
News

Investigation: Meet the hyper-specialist car dealers making their money from weird and wonderful motors

February 11, 2021
Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice
News

Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice

January 15, 2021
Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK
Car Dealer Top 100

Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK

February 10, 2021
Bitcoin ATM terminal
News

Will car dealers in the UK accept Bitcoin for payment? Dealers speak out after Tesla plans to accept cryptocurrency 

February 18, 2021
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
Call us: 020 8125 3880

© 2020 Blackball Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Car Dealer Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100

© 2020 Blackball Media

Log In
Register
Register
Server C