Small dealers are left exposed by MG Rover collapse

The first to fall are three sites owned by Phoenix Venture Motoring, a subsidiary of the car maker's parent company which has also been placed in administration. As Motor Trader went to press we learned of a small regional group based in the North of England which is also under threat of closure as it comes to terms with the manufacturer's demise. What is becoming increasingly clear is that while the big plc dealer groups will weather the storm the regional groups, who might run MG Rover as part of a small portfolio, have been left badly exposed with little hope of salvation. These groups, who have built their businesses by serving the local community, could go out of business taking other franchises with them in what one leading industry figure described as the worst crisis to hit the dealer community in 50 years. The repercussions of MG Rover's catastrophic collapse will be felt for a long time.