Aston Martin Sevenoaks

[Jon39]

I did not realise that the Jardine Motors Group had been bought in March 2023, by an American motor dealer, Lithia & driveway.

They have obviously reviewed their new UK business and the sale of the Sevenoaks dealer to Marshall Motor Group has just been announced.

New Aston Martin buyers will be pleased to read on the Marshall's website, 'We’re also able to offer some of the most competitive deals on new cars'.
What do you mean, they all say that? -

[Nick Forest]

They’re moving the Aston dealership to Tunbridge Wells at the industrial estate alongside Bentley and Lamborghini.

[VantageHead]

Apparently, some big changes coming up, including moving 7Oaks showroom to Marshall’s Nissan garage in Tunbridge Wells. This will overcome one of the biggest challenges of the 7Oaks site, namely the overly small showroom, and whilst previous owners of the group had promised expansion into the JLR showroom next door, it never happened (budget). Many of the existing service & sales staff have apparently left, including Dudley (Dealer Principal) who went to Aston Mayfair and Carl (Servicing) to Jardine JLR. David still in sales though. New telephone numbers and dearth of information on web site is apparently causing some confusion (some web sites showing 0 ‘timeless’ second hand stock), and some customers going to AML works in NP for servicing (or Chichester) until things settle.

Believe this is Marshall’s first AML dealership?

[Jon39]

Interesting that a relocation is going to take place.
Sounds as though the overall image will be raised considerably.

The very high fence is trying to hide their neighbours, but even if on the other side of that fence, it was called an ultra-luxury sustainable scrap yard, there is still no hiding the muddle.

Did they ever get their workshop on to their own site ?
Being a few miles away, must have created inefficiencies.

[VantageHead]

In all my years of being a customer, I never noticed the scrap heap on other side of wall - just seen it now on google maps!

7Oaks servicing centre is at Lime Pit lane - 1.7 miles from showroom. They used to also service Lamborghini & McLaren there (until franchises lost many years ago). Also Inneos, but believe no longer…..

Move to Tunbridge Wells won’t suit everyone, and no idea how new showroom will look, however investment to refurbish Tunbridge Wells Nissan garage is interesting against background of Aston’s recent poor business results and announcement of 1000 fewer cars produced this year. Believe that change of the Kent dealer has been in the planning pipeline for some time as I’ve noticed a distinct lack of interest in selling cars for last 3-4 months at 7Oaks.

Not sure if ‘good will’ transfers to Marshalls (or if Lithua keep customer contact details (value, GDPR, etc)) - could affect smooth transfer of the business. Also whether people who ordered a new car from ‘Lithua 7Oaks’ will have delivery fulfilled by Marshall’s or one of Lithua’s other outlets?

Hopefully we’ll know the answers soon…….

[Jon39]

I hope all goes well.

The South East is a populated area and includes some wealth, so must be considered an important market for AML.
Kent - Sevenoaks.
Surrey - Walton on Thames.
Sussex - Chichester.

Aston Martin recently mentioned new or relocated dealer sites and I think there was reference to a new showroom design standard.
I don't know what that involves. Hope the beautiful travertine flooring continues.

[VantageHead]

I can just see it now…….

Customer goes to Marshall’s Nissan Aston for new Vantage and asks for a £1 discount on a new £230K Vantage. On being told ‘no, Mr Stroll won’t allow it’, they can now simply go next door and place an order for a discounted brand new Bentley Continental instead…..

Maybe Adrian Hallmark (ex Bentley, now Aston) will see the irony!!

[Simpo Two]

Jon39 said:

Being a few miles away, must have created inefficiencies.

Not least that customers dropping off their cars for service wouldn't be able to wander round the showroom looking at what to get next!

I haven't been to AM Sevenoaks but they serviced my car for the first 14 years for the first owner. I needed to make a few phone calls to the service dept and they were very helpful - but hopefully now they recommend a transmission oil change at 8 years not just 40K miles.

[Jon39]

A new beginning and smarter neighbours, but almost entirely motor trade.
Perhaps that is good for business, although as you say (VantageHead), it will be so easy to look at other make products.
The Nissan site area appears to be huge.

Dealers in the Dowding Way, Tunbridge Wells area;

Alfa Romeo
Audi
Bentley
Fiat
Hyundai
Lamborghini
Lexus
Nissan
SEAT
Suzuki
Toyota
Vauxhall

Associated;

BE Automotive
Euro Car Parts
Formula One Autocentre
GSF
Kwik Fit
HiQ Tyres
Setyres
Thames Motor Group
and others.




............................................

EDIT



A large site and they presumably sell a considerable number of Nissans.

I guess that AML would not allow Aston Martin and Nissan to operate from the same premises.
Imagine the SUVs for sale.
Nissan Qashqai 'New Nissan Qashqai with e-POWER. Turn Heads With Design That Makes A Statement' £30,000.
DBX 707 No e-POWER, but ultra-luxury, very fast and turns more than just heads. It is Intensity Driven. £220,000.

The forecourt looks huge, so would accommodate far more than the normal AM display stock.

Wonder where the Nissan part might move to?
It will be interesting to see what happens.

Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 6th October 17:08

[Vet Guru]

Seems odd as their website had just changed to Stratstones AM in the last few weeks
I had also thought sales and service should be together as they must miss out the odd sale with having service on an industrial estate