Many of you will have seen the update of the Chairman of the MCDC in the September edition of Miscellany (page 11).
It is pleasing that the MMC have deigned to respond to some of the concerns of CX purchasers passed of purchasers of CX cars and “Morgan” dealers after a further approach by the Chairman and others. The management of MMC must have been aware of such concerns for some time but in the changed circumstances this posting is less critical than otherwise it would have been.
Before reading this article I had completed a draft posting which began as follows;-
“I refer to my earlier postings in particular that appearing 8th July 2022). Since then I have held my peace notwithstanding that it appears that the management of MMC seem determined to compete for something like a Gerald Ratner award for appalling lack of respect to customers and conduct causing damage to the reputation of products supplied to and offered to the public. We all know what happened to the share value of Gerald Ratner’s eponymous jewellery business and the realisable value of his products but more importantly to the reputation of the business.”
Hopefully MMC are now and will be adopting a more sensible and realistic approach
I say (but it is a matter for you) that there were always three glaring omissions:-
• Failure to communicate with realistic regularity a time estimate as to when the remedial work would be done; • Failure to explain that the Mercedes recall related to a different defect caused by corrosion to either the metal casing and/or bracket to a brake master cylinder (not the rubber seals); and • Failure to notify that the risk of conviction for dangerous driving if the CX vehicle was used (in my view a probability depending on the individual circumstances).
I am not a young man as described in some of the posts. In my youth I owned sports cars but graduated to more traditional sedate cars to cater for family needs. After retirement I carefully considered buying a used Morgan but was dissuaded by the fact that I am not an engineer of any skill. My thinking was that if I had a Morgan it would end up in bits/unroadworthy in the garage at the back of my house. When the new CX PlusFour was reviewed I saw the opportunity to purchase a “real car” which I would enjoy and appreciate. The joy and appreciation of driving the PlusFour before the 8th June was unconfined. As I understand the general tenor of many of the posts in this thread there are many like me and like me they feel badly “let down” not by the car but by MMC in its dealing with the situation that has arisen (not least my PlusFour being in the garage unroadworthy for 3 months during the Summer).
I have been heartened by the posts emails relating to the fitting of a replacement master brake cylinders and swill pots on CX vehicles after a long wait and “hiccups” without any attempt by MMC to provide a steady stream of information of events and progress as concern increased and was expressed. It is apparently the case that there are three types of “remedial kits” supplied to dealers for fitting, viz one for Plus 6, one for Plusfour manual gearbox and one for Plusfour automatics. This should have been explained long ago together with the reason why some models had to be modified at the factory in Malvern.
Some particular matters are still outstanding and I identify four (this is not a complete list) as follows:-
1. The failure to outline proposals to remedy the apparent defects relating to the suspension of the Plus 6 or alternatively why there are no such proposals; 2. The failure to explain in clear terms the proposed extended warranty (including details of what it is intended to relate – the car or specific items including the radiator whether or not a new one is fitted). I would suggest that at the very least any new warranty should cover the whole of the cooling system (including the radiator whether replaced or not because I understand that the reason for the failure of radiators in some cars but not in others has not been resolved) and the master cylinder with associated replacement pipes and cable for a period of two years. As to the remainder of the vehicle the provisions of the warranty for a further period of 3 months from the date of fitting of the kits might be a bonus; 3. The question of compensation for loss of use/amenity/inconvenience (which I for my part do not intend to press if the warranty position is “sorted^); 4. The proving that particular CX models are no longer subject to the recall:
As to the course of events since the 8th June I (speaking personally but it is a matter for those reading this post) do not accept that the involvement of ”legal bodies and authorities” and “the nature of this campaign” cause insurmountable problems with regard to the flow of information (which in any event has been to say the least for practical purposes been inadequate) or are the cause of the delay. Management of MMC are employed on the basis that such matters are overcome in a commercial way after proper and expeditious consideration and the making of proper inquiries as advised by lawyers and engineers. Obviously there may be a delay in obtaining the relevant new components but the numbers are not large. Purchasers of CX vehicles have been left in an impossible position as regards travel arrangements and mitigation of inconvenience and damage. Dealers have been left in the position that they could no answer the legitimate inquiries of customers actual and prospective as to the likely period of delay. As to 4 above (the stop drive noticeI I was surprised to find out by a search in the government DVSA website using the registration number and the vin number of my PlusFour that the result was
“ We don't hold information about manufacturer's safety recalls for MORGAN PLUS FOUR AUTO [Number] To find out if your vehicle has any outstanding safety recalls, contact a MORGAN dealership.”
It seems to me that those who have had the work done should do a search to find out what is recorded against the relevant vehicle. I assume that when the work has been done on my PlusFour I will receive under a protocol approved by MMC a written document (identifying the components fitted) of some kind to this effect. I understand that he dealers have been thrown into such chaos by MMC that it strikes me as likely that some will give up the connection with the result that that their records as to work done will be no longer available in the future. Another possibility is that in present economic conditions they may become insolvent so that a purchaser of a car will be left to deal with a liquidator or administrator. Hopefully there will be an accessible record showing which CX cars are compliant
I repeat that I am pleased to see that MMC recognises that there is frustration but I emphasise that in my respectful view on the information available on this topic to date this has been caused and is being caused by the inept approach of MMC to providing information and updates. The attempt to explain by hiding behind a woefully bare and inadequate assertion that the company is faced with a complex situation and working hard shows a lack of respect to purchasers of CX vehicles and the reputation of the Morgan marque. MMC has an overriding duty to be open and frank when the present situation arose and has failed in that duty.
