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Confusion over when dealers can expect new MG 135TF
Thursday 16 April 2009, 08:00
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MG and its dealer network seem confused about when future product is likely to arrive in UK showrooms.
The standard 135 TF models have yet to arrive in dealerships, following the sellout of the 500 limited edition versions.
Drivestyle Harrogate MG managing director Steve Williams expects product to come through as soon as this month, but another dealer David Wood, general manager at Luffield Cars which also holds a Citroën franchise, doesn’t anticipate arrival before summer 2010.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman at MG Motors UK was more vague about the 135 TF’s arrival: “Work is progressing on schedule for the standard TF, upper medium MG saloon and a hatchback model based on the SAIC’s Roewe 550.
“We can’t reveal anymore information at this time but hope to share more details later this year.”
But despite the uncertainty of when new product will be arriving dealers remain upbeat about the franchise.
Wood said: “We sold out of our allocation but we managed to get hold of four more cars.
“We’re happy with the situation and we always knew that it would be a slow burn with the MG franchise.”
Williams added: “We had a great launch in December and November. Things went a little quiet in January and February but things are definitely picking up now.
“We’ve found MG to be really good to deal with and very forward thinking.”
Newly-renamed MG Motors UK (NAC MG UK) said its dealers had seen an increase in showroom traffic and enquiries for the standard models.
It said the network was developing in line with its plans and it is still actively recruiting dealers having just taken on franchisees in Hull and London.
“The current focus for MG is on raising brand awareness.
“Our dealers are beginning to undertake advertising in time for spring/summer interest,” added the spokeswoman.
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Wrong!! The 500 Limited Edition models have clearly not sold out! (unless there have been hundreds of sales across Europe - there haven't been). There should have been 500 cars produced. According to SMMT figures, registrations of MGs in the whole year 2008 were just 133 in total and up to the end of March 2009; 51 in total. That makes 184 registrations in total of the LE500 until 16 days ago. I don't think they have registered 316 cars in April 2009 so far unless they have had a 1200% increase in sales this month! Somehow... I think not.
If a significant number of these LE500s are press cars, dealer demos, staff cars for MG etc, than "sales" (as opposed to registrations) are probably much less than 150 units. I have repeatedly said that lots of untruths have been promoted in the press about these cars, and it seems - here we go again. Journalists should check!
The whole point of "MG" brand was that it already had brand-awareness! They don't need to raise brand-awareness, everyone knows what an MG is for goodness sake... they need to build cars worth selling.
The verbal rubbish continues, when MG say it's dealers have shown "an increase in showroom traffic"; when they registered just 26 cars in March 2009, they can still register less than 1 car a day in April, and show an "increase". It's rubbish.
Apart from all that, how on earth are the manufacturer or dealers paying for anything at all, at this volume? Should the taxpayers have to subside THIS further? What profits do the dealers pay for the advertising they are "undertaking" from?
I will say this again: THE ONLY REASON FOR THIS OPERATION IS TO GIVE THE MG/ROEWE BRAND IN CHINA A UNION JACK TO WAVE WITH THEIR UK "FACTORY" OPERATION MAKING CHINESE BUYERS THINK IT'S A BRITISH BRAND. This is clearly not a UK car manufacturing or sales operation, at least not for-profit.
Ling Valentine
16 April 2009, 10:57