Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Newtown

Your new dealer really sounds and looks good from your reports and pictures Gary, great to see that level of enthusiasm for you guys and girls.

Now that’s what I call the right dealer for the brand. How do I convince him to open a branch here. A while ago that happened with Jeep here in Tassie, suddenly we had a dealer that understood his buyers, it was great and really engendered brand loyalty.

On our other issue with parts from our illustrious agent, some Caterhams also used our ZSG416 motor,as well, so I have asked on the local Clubman forum too 😄

We have seen something very similar with Moto Guzzi too, particularly since Piaggio acquired Moto Guzzi.

Even before the Piaggio take over and under Aprilia ownership the marketing trend was to turn everything upside down. We had a succession of "brilliant" marketing managers who new very little about the marque and did not bother to even enquire from dealers. Every time they started in with a redesign of the "image" new shop furniture, new colours, large flat screen displays, and even new logos. Being a historic and very important dealer Agostini was somewhat immune but other dealers were talked into finance to cover the expense and then were astounded when the next marketing guru wanted to change everything when they hadn't finished paying for the previous lot.

When Piaggio took over they cancelled a lot of historic and faithful dealers, many who had stuck with the company through good and bad times. Some closed and others became official workshops or sub-dealers. This meant that they could sell new bikes but they had to obtain them from the official main dealer.

Just like Morgan the new Moto Guzzis require specialised knowledge of ECU systems, ABS, etc. So some of the older dealers are perhaps not well equipped to service them.

Not good that a local dealer drops out. It means longer distance for the expertise needed for many jobs.
The modernisation and added complexity of Morgans is inevitable as they need to meet tighter regulations. So.....does MMC give training to the dealers and, if so, to what level?
The major manufacturers seem to ( OK according to the certificates they plaster on their service reception walls to justify paying for expertise...just slight cynicism there).
The apparent shortfall in assuring no issues when new engines are used as per Roadster and GDi rev hang issues is not good. It resembles a less than ideal attitude.
The stories of some owners getting free upgrades whilst others pay is a very poor attitude.
The saying “Morgan build the cars but owners finish them “ is surely one to be getting rid of? Even more so as complexity and cost is surging ahead. I sincerely hope the recent ownership change results in an injection of cash to allow the proper development pre launch to be done and the seemingly arrogant attitude removed. Premium prices for underdeveloped cars is a recipe for loss.
Just to add....
There is apparently an improvement in build quality recently but still a lack of proper development resulting in the issues mentioned?

I must say that my 2018 car is well ahead in terms of build quality on the previous one - also there is a total lack of the “Nodding Dog” it definitely handles better without any suspension mods!

I suspect that the work done by Peter Ballard (PJB on Talk Morgan) has filtered through to production. Peter doesn't post often these days as he feels that it could be seen that he has a commercial interest. He is an automotive engineer is and the developer of the Suplex, now SSL RS front suspension kit and SSL 5L (Five Link) rear suspension system.

The "Nodding Dog" syndrome is quite well known and a search on Morgantica will find the explanation for the phenomena.

I am under the impression that the dealer in Melbourne has been a dealer for a rather long time.

I am also under the impression that 99% of what he does is stay in contact with the government departments responsible for the various importation of goods to make sure that any future legislation is not going to affect Morgan cars being imported.

I know from experience with importing cars myself that there are lots of departments involved involved and if you don't get clearance from all of them then the car will never be allowed to be registered meaning the owner ends up with an expensive racecar.

My thoughts when the plus 6 was revealed and everyone was saying that it's the end of the classic Morgan as we know it that the amount of work to get the import approvals might be enough for the dealer to retire. Seeing that he is reasonably old and maybe one could say he is already running the business as a hobby in retirement.

Anyway now I have heard of a new dealership i think that the future for Morgan has a much longer term than i thought before.

I'd question how realistic you are being Sospan. You might well hope for a £50k Morgan to have the same build quality as a £50k Ford, but you arent going to get it because MMC is simply far too small an outfit to be able ever to do that. Plus of course the owners take pleasure in the "hand made" label but hand made invariably means less well made. Robots beat humans at repeatable tasks every time.

If you want a sports car that is well put together and works properly, buy an MX5.

Blimey howard tell it like it is!

Oh sorry am I missing something and you also recently bought a hand made parts chomper as well

I think I finally get Howard he is equally as smitten with the F word as we are with the M word and feels at home here as we are probably more tolerant than the average F owner

I think he is well aware of the F shortcomings and hand built errors and ensuing ongoing development but he's in love and we all know how that causes selective blindness.