Thursday 18th November 2004

New TVR dealer for Midlands

David Gerald Sportscars is first new Smolenski-era dealer

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TVR has awarded Midlands-based TVR specialist David Gerald Sportscars (DGS) full dealership status - the first in the country to be appointed since TVR was taken over by millionaire Russian businessman Nikolai Smolenski.

With its TVR associations already spanning over 20 years, DGS will now take on new TVR sales throughout South Birmingham, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Located in picturesque Inkberrow, between Worcester and Stratford-upon-Avon, the dealership will continue to operate from its existing premises. The village’s other and perhaps more sedate claim to fame is that it is the location of the fictional village of Ambridge, in the long running BBC Radio series The Archers -- the second pic was taken opposite the "The Bull".

Adding new vehicle sales is the latest step in the development of the business that has been selling and servicing TVRs since 1981 and has earned a reputation as one of the UK's foremost TVR specialists, especially for the older cars.

Joint owners Doug Ellwood and John Chatley have significantly developed the dealership since taking over the company in 1998 – used vehicle sales are currently around 100 units a year and a thriving parts operation sees individual components and even complete cars being exported around the globe.

The move to full franchise status will see further investment in the business, which already has a team of highly qualified staff, a showroom that can accommodate up to 20 cars and a fully equipped four bay workshop. As well as routine servicing, David Gerald Sportscars will continue to undertake complete restoration work of historic TVRs.

Both owners are actively involved in TVR motor sport as drivers and their expertise in specialist race preparation is increasingly in demand from private TVR racing enthusiasts.

“Unlike some dealers who have come and gone in the region, we have a proven track record and a well established customer base,” said Doug Ellwood. “With fresh investment and new cars from the factory in the pipeline - like the recently announced Sagaris - it is an exciting time for brand in the Midlands, where we aim to build on our traditional values of service and bring the unique TVR experience to a wider audience”.

[dinkel]

[quote]“With fresh investment and new cars from the factory in the pipeline - like the recently announced Sagaris - . . . .”.[/unquote]

When oh when . . .

Great looking red car btw.

Is Smolenski planning to expand dealerships?

[conner]

Does anybody know if there is going to be a dealer in the nottingham area?

[mrmaggit]

conner said:

Does anybody know if there is going to be a dealer in the nottingham area?

TMS and Peter Smith cover that area. Unless you want to go independant, when it's James Agger and Joospeed.

[madbadger]

Or in <insert local town here>

One of the most offputting things about TVR ownership is the problems getting to a "local" dealer.

I know at least one person who is tempted, but not if it means taking days off work to get minor niggles sorted out.

If TVR got to you in 5 minutes by helicopter then that would be different. Can't imagine anyone offering that level of service though...........

[tuscanboy]

The problem TVR have had, is that the volume of cars being sold would not support a big dealer network as the the overheads for running a dealership must be considerable. Ok there is an argument that if the network was bigger they would sell more cars, but that is a risky assumption in the case of TVR. Whilst this genre of car has become increasingly popular, a large percentage of the potential customer base would not tolerate the foibles of TVR (both the cars and the company). Peoples perceptions of TVR need to change considerably if they are to increase their sales volume significantly, and (back to the original point) allow the development of a large dealer network.

[jamster]

los angeles said:

conner said: Does anybody know if there is going to be a dealer in the nottingham area? Or Edinburgh, or Glasgow?

The only TVR dealer in Scotland will be in GLasgow. Opening soon! It will only be a showroom. All servicing work etc will be done by Dreadnought.

Jamster

PS I think you'll fing the majority of TVR dealerships will be loosing their franchises. Only the top few will remain.

[bona8-2]

[quote]


The only TVR dealer in Scotland will be in GLasgow. Opening soon! It will only be a showroom. All servicing work etc will be done by Dreadnought.

Jamster



PS I think you'll fing the majority of TVR dealerships will be loosing their franchises. Only the top few will remain.[/quote]

I think Glenvarigill in Edinburgh may be dissappointed that you dont consider them dealers, speak to Geoff there Top Bloke!
I do wish people would do at least a little investigation before they post.

[conner]

[/quote]
PS I think you'll fing the majority of TVR dealerships will be loosing their franchises. Only the top few will remain.[/quote]


Please tell me more!!!

[Tuscaholic]

If TVR got to you in 5 minutes by helicopter then that would be different. Can't imagine anyone offering that level of service though...........

Madbadger,

Something tells me you were watching 5th Gear when Vicki Butler-Henderson stressed out the Aston and the belt came off... Twice !!!

How embarassing for Aston Martin

[williamball]

jamster said:

The only TVR dealer in Scotland will be in GLasgow. Opening soon! It will only be a showroom. All servicing work etc will be done by Dreadnought.

bona8-2 said:

I think Glenvarigill in Edinburgh may be dissappointed that you dont consider them dealers, speak to Geoff there Top Bloke! I do wish people would do at least a little investigation before they post.

Some half truths in both postings, but not strictly accurate on all counts Not least of which is Glenvarigill moved their TVR franchise out of Edinburgh some months back to St Andrews, and it has now been relocated to Perth. Geoff is still there.

Have some patience. There is going to be ..

Lets not speculate too much before whatever is going to happen happens

WB

[stooz]

This is good news for DGS, its a few miles from me, and has a well known reputation in the area for good quality work and a fine selection of cars.

Its also a great place to take the car too - as the roads in the area are perfect hooners...

[dinkel]

stooz said:

This is good news . . . as the roads in the area are perfect hooners...

Warm her up first . . .

[macdeb]

Well I wish Doug and John all the best, nice blokes.

[MarkoTVR]

There used to be a TVR dealership about 10mins from me, on the way to Bromsgrove. It's gone now, and has been replaced by a Nick Whale dealership.

Glad to see that there is another one not too far away.....will come in handy for booking test drives!

[grape]

That's my red T350! No problems three weeks into ownership (touching wood).

Grape

[joospeed]

I wish John all the best, he's a nice bloke

[Uriel]

I've ordered parts from them in the past. Always a pleasure to deal with.

[Kami Clive]

Hi Doug all the best with your new apointment
Kind Regards Clive Greenhalgh

[mustard]

MarkoTVR said:

There used to be a TVR dealership about 10mins from me, on the way to Bromsgrove. It's gone now, and has been replaced by a Nick Whale dealership. Glad to see that there is another one not too far away.....will come in handy for booking test drives!

Richard, Streets TVR's main technician has been retained at NW