Update,
my dealer is under no illusion that I hold him legally responsible and has gone quiet.
Steve Morris has answered me and has invited me to the factory. Also wishes to help me dispose of the car. I cant get to the factory with work commitments yet.
I'm not just doing this for me. I have met a lot of great people through this forum, some face to face and I have been in their M3Ws too. Solidarity.
This really highlights the problem at MMC. Steve Morris has evidently heard of the dissatisfaction but rather than address the group appears to have singled out Donald for a reply.
MMC need to be communicating in a timely fashion to all of their M3W clients if they want to maintain and repair the group feeling of isolation and lack of care.
I assume that there are broadly three groups of customers that MMC have to "manage": those customers who have had failures and need prompt redress and future assurance; those who are worried about future failures and greater-than-expected depreciation; and those who worry about future failures but still enjoy and are contemplating the car still as a long-term "toy". I am not sure I have the same faith in it that I have in my 14y old 4/4.
The first group clearly have redress, and of course it is important that MMC deal with them quickly and personally. Some of the criticism they have received is because of lack of personalised customer care. Yes, UK law provides redress against the dealer, but the MMC-dealer-customer axis has always marketed itself on being "a family". Ultimately the dealers would have a secondary action against MMC anyway, so it makes no sense for them to throw the dealers to the lions. It will expose one of the unique selling points (of all Morgans not just 3-wheelers) as a sham.
The second group need a certain degree of openness in "the family". Residual values will be hit (at least for the first "thousand"), it doesn't even need to get out into the "general" auto press; I suspect most prospective buyers will end up here in a thirst for more knowledge of their intended bride. Whilst dealing with the individuals promptly and personally, MMC need to convey the confidence that any failures will be dealt with similarly. And that the solutions will be long-term secure; only this will protect residual value (another Morgan USP).
Finally the third group, to which I belong (possibly with most of the post-14 owners), we need the confidence that the solutions are sound. Too many of the replacements failed. I still use and enjoy my 3-wheeler, but if I had a longer journey I would definitely use the 4/4. I am not sure that many are in the lucky position of having a second Morgan.
I kept my 4/4 for 14y with no faults (longevity is another Morgan USP at risk here; this gave me the confidence to sign up for a 3-wheeler as a second toy. Would MMC have had two sales if I had bought the 3-wheeler first?
How they handle this fracas may influence my future whimsical purchases.
I understand that MMC underwriters and their legal teams will be worried. The best strategy for MMC depends of course with how many customers fall into the respective groups. Aye, and there's the rub . . .
