Friday, 3 February 2012

Benfield Motors has closed its Renault dealership in Morpeth, Northumberland.

On the company website Benfield said: “Benfield Renault and Volkswagen are currently undergoing a change in how we look after our customers.

“In conjunction with Renault UK’s restructure of their franchise network, we will no longer be operating as a Renault dealership or a Volkswagen Service Centre in Morpeth.

“We’re pleased to tell you that as the North East’s largest Renault and Volkswagen retailers we will continue to offer new Renault and Volkswagen at our other dealerships in the region.”

In December Renault issued 12 month termination notices to a third of its network as part of a major overhaul of its UK business following a halving of sales in the last five years.

Renault said around 55 showrooms will be closed reducing its network headcount to 135 sites by the beginning of 2013.

Renault is having discussions with large dealer groups regarding which territories require representation from 2013.

Benfield Motors is ranked No. 22 in the Motor Trader Top 200 dealer groups with turnover of £380m and pre tax profits of £6m in the year to December 2010.