Whitequay in administration!
Discussion
As I've just been asked via the CCCUK 'Where can I get my C6 serviced' I thought I'd look up Whitquay Reading and their address, only to find out they've closed, as well as Southamton and Newbury!
http://www.motortrader.com/latest-news/whitequay-a...
http://www.motortrader.com/latest-news/whitequay-a...
Things ain't good. A few months back, the Corvette Europe website "disappeared". Whitequay and Phoenix Vauxhall/Saab in Wimbledon used to be listed on there as GM authorised Corvette service/repair oulets (along with Bauer-Millett of course). Tried to look for Phoenix on the web just now. Just takes you to the "Now Vauxhall" website. No specific mention of Corvettes on there. So BM the only remaining GM authorised Corvette service/repair outlet in the UK?
The Corvette Europe website will be gone soon if it is not already. Corvette is being re-adopted by Chevrolet and will now feature on Chevrolet's websites in each individual European country.
As for Whitequay, this is clearly unfortunate but I had known this was coming for a little while. I am currently working with Chevrolet to help establish another Authorised Repairer in the south but as I understand it we are currently the only Authorised Repairer for Cadillac and Corvette in the UK. I am also happy to tell you that we are about to be Authorised Repairers for the entire Chevrolet range including Volt and Camaro.
As for Whitequay, this is clearly unfortunate but I had known this was coming for a little while. I am currently working with Chevrolet to help establish another Authorised Repairer in the south but as I understand it we are currently the only Authorised Repairer for Cadillac and Corvette in the UK. I am also happy to tell you that we are about to be Authorised Repairers for the entire Chevrolet range including Volt and Camaro.
That's a shame. Whitequay privided a good service in the South, especially Ian Jones at Reading.
With most customers for these cars being in the South East there's no doubt in my mind that "there's only one dealership and it's in Manchester" would not enhance sales. I'd wager the number of Grand Sports sold can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
In the late 1990s GM had Corvette and Camaro on sale in Vauxhall dealerships as flagship models. I found that hopeless with staff more suited to dealing with Astra vans than premium sportscars. It's not easy to see how Corvette would fare any better alongside Chevrolet's "unbeatable value from just £7,995"....
With most customers for these cars being in the South East there's no doubt in my mind that "there's only one dealership and it's in Manchester" would not enhance sales. I'd wager the number of Grand Sports sold can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
In the late 1990s GM had Corvette and Camaro on sale in Vauxhall dealerships as flagship models. I found that hopeless with staff more suited to dealing with Astra vans than premium sportscars. It's not easy to see how Corvette would fare any better alongside Chevrolet's "unbeatable value from just £7,995"....
I think that's sad news as they were always good when I used them, I only had just taken the Cadillac to them last month for so warranty bits to be done and a service. I know Phoenix had stopped working on the Corvettes and Cadillacs but they were terrible to even phone up! Hopefully someone will take over as a main agent for service and repairs in London. Maybe Ian Goss services? I think by now all the last of the Stratstone cars have finished with warranty's?
Maybe Mitch will finally set up down south?????
Maybe Mitch will finally set up down south?????
BLUETHUNDER said:
Bauer Millets setting up down south. Ermmmm. Would'nt be a bad thing. And long over due.
would it be called baaaaa miwwitts?Manchester is very nice and contrary to the beliefs of many southerners, you more than likely wont be murdered if you come here and you do not require a passport.
Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge or Esher? Stockbroker belt about to become Vette drivin' belt? Surrey would be perfect!!!
Somewhere Like Cobham.
Benefits;
Near M25 & A3
Fast Access to London and the South
Between Heathrow & Gatwick Airports
Plentiful Supply of Car Mad, Cash rich Footballers
Highly trained staff including expert product knowledge Sales Manager Available
Queue of C7 Customers already & waiting
Home to the infamous Surrey Region CCCUK
Negatives:
NONE
JOB DONE
Somewhere Like Cobham.
Benefits;
Near M25 & A3
Fast Access to London and the South
Between Heathrow & Gatwick Airports
Plentiful Supply of Car Mad, Cash rich Footballers
Highly trained staff including expert product knowledge Sales Manager Available
Queue of C7 Customers already & waiting
Home to the infamous Surrey Region CCCUK
Negatives:
NONE
JOB DONE
Although there may be an argument for Kent, Essex and other counties surrounding London as the location but a quick look at the average home values will give you an indication of the demographics and the likelihood of who is going to spend circa £60-£100K on a new Corvette;
Kent total properties 862,327 average value £231,080
Essex total properties 977,883 average value £241,410
Hertfordshire total properties 524,818 average value £337,234
Surrey total properties 500,556 average value £418,229
Now look at Cobham average prices £807,938 this is why Corvettes are attracted to the Surrey region meet they feel at home
There is only one other area in Surrey with a higher average value but that is frequented by certain ZR1 Corvette buyers.
Dare I say it and it may be a coincidence but Surrey is also home to the largest Ferrari dealer!
Kent total properties 862,327 average value £231,080
Essex total properties 977,883 average value £241,410
Hertfordshire total properties 524,818 average value £337,234
Surrey total properties 500,556 average value £418,229
Now look at Cobham average prices £807,938 this is why Corvettes are attracted to the Surrey region meet they feel at home
There is only one other area in Surrey with a higher average value but that is frequented by certain ZR1 Corvette buyers.
Dare I say it and it may be a coincidence but Surrey is also home to the largest Ferrari dealer!
I was going by the fact that they're are more corvettes in the Essex region than in any other. Also I believe there are more houses bought for cash in Essex than any other county. Not that that or house prices have anything to do with it. If they did then they should set up in London. I don't really care to be honest as I maintain my own cars and if there's something I do need doing I don't mind the drive up to Mitch.
TEKWIZ said:
Although there may be an argument for Kent, Essex and other counties surrounding London as the location but a quick look at the average home values will give you an indication of the demographics and the likelihood of who is going to spend circa £60-£100K on a new Corvette;
Kent total properties 862,327 average value £231,080
Essex total properties 977,883 average value £241,410
Hertfordshire total properties 524,818 average value £337,234
Surrey total properties 500,556 average value £418,229
Now look at Cobham average prices £807,938 this is why Corvettes are attracted to the Surrey region meet they feel at home
There is only one other area in Surrey with a higher average value but that is frequented by certain ZR1 Corvette buyers.
Dare I say it and it may be a coincidence but Surrey is also home to the largest Ferrari dealer!
I can't see the 'average' performance car buyer in Surrey (Cobham, Chobham, whatever) taking out finance/buying a Vette with a price tag of, say £65K, much less the significant additional premium of a ZR1. They will be spending their money on a far more 'sensible' Merc, Beemer, Ferrari, Mazzer or R8.Kent total properties 862,327 average value £231,080
Essex total properties 977,883 average value £241,410
Hertfordshire total properties 524,818 average value £337,234
Surrey total properties 500,556 average value £418,229
Now look at Cobham average prices £807,938 this is why Corvettes are attracted to the Surrey region meet they feel at home
There is only one other area in Surrey with a higher average value but that is frequented by certain ZR1 Corvette buyers.
Dare I say it and it may be a coincidence but Surrey is also home to the largest Ferrari dealer!
For totally opposite reasons the same thing will apply to Essex that spending money will go towards a Bentley GT or something vulgar - the Covette is unlikely to be chosen.
Unfortunately the Vette is considered by too many people to be inferior to other European 'performance' cars.
I was going to include the word 'cheap' - but it isn't cheap is it? - in fact it is too expensive here in the UK, especially when you consider the price of it when last marketed here in the UK a few years back.
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