Southgate Peugeot in Winchester - what's going on?
Discussion
I used to work in Sales for Southgate's at their Andover site back in 2004
The group had recent bought the Blandford Dorset site, and refitted the southampton Peugeot and Mitsubishi Site.
Everything back then was relatively rosey, but obviously times change.
As with many privately owned business there were, and probably still are some shady characters who may be to blame for the company collapse, but I personally think that the market has screwed it for the Southgate group.
Neither Mitsubishi or Peugeot as brands in general have had it great in recent years. The days of people buying double cab pick-ups have appeared to go, and the rest of the Mitsubishi range isnt up to par with it's rivals.
The Peugeot range struggles to compete now. The 206 was the car that held it together. As a salesman those cars were almost a licence to print money, and supply couldnt meet demand.
I really hope that all those affected by the closure of the sites, be it staff or customers, have no serious problems relating to the closure of what is a large number of sites in some key locations.
I think the new MG brand should step in, as all the sites in this group were in areas that MG had a good hold in back in their day, and could entice back some buyers.
There's one person who was high up in this company that I certainly do not feel sorry for however. He made no friends, and a lot of enemies.
The group had recent bought the Blandford Dorset site, and refitted the southampton Peugeot and Mitsubishi Site.
Everything back then was relatively rosey, but obviously times change.
As with many privately owned business there were, and probably still are some shady characters who may be to blame for the company collapse, but I personally think that the market has screwed it for the Southgate group.
Neither Mitsubishi or Peugeot as brands in general have had it great in recent years. The days of people buying double cab pick-ups have appeared to go, and the rest of the Mitsubishi range isnt up to par with it's rivals.
The Peugeot range struggles to compete now. The 206 was the car that held it together. As a salesman those cars were almost a licence to print money, and supply couldnt meet demand.
I really hope that all those affected by the closure of the sites, be it staff or customers, have no serious problems relating to the closure of what is a large number of sites in some key locations.
I think the new MG brand should step in, as all the sites in this group were in areas that MG had a good hold in back in their day, and could entice back some buyers.
There's one person who was high up in this company that I certainly do not feel sorry for however. He made no friends, and a lot of enemies.
Skater12 said:
I think the new MG brand should step in, as all the sites in this group were in areas that MG had a good hold in back in their day, and could entice back some buyers.
If a dealer could not make money with Peugeot / Mitsibushi in those areas - they sure as hell wont with MG....
I see that Westover have got the Peugeot franchise for Salisbury now...
CarlT said:
Skater12 said:
I think the new MG brand should step in, as all the sites in this group were in areas that MG had a good hold in back in their day, and could entice back some buyers.
If a dealer could not make money with Peugeot / Mitsibushi in those areas - they sure as hell wont with MG....
I see that Westover have got the Peugeot franchise for Salisbury now...
The Southgate group had such locations, and the sites were in good shape physically, so just re-branding would be easy enough.
I get what you mean though, and maybe it would be a bit of a risk.
I cant see any privately owner dealer groups taking on a new site any time soon, given the current climate, but you never know.
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