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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,747 Likes: 419
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,747 Likes: 419 |
If that's true and Melvyn has bailed out, that's like the ravens leaving the tower of London. There have been v strong rumours for some time that they might drop the Mog dealership. As I understand it MMC charge heavily for that. Richard Thorn left them for the same reasons.
JohnV6 2022 CX Plus Four 2025 MG ZS EV aka Trigger
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 357 Likes: 7
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 357 Likes: 7 |
The lack of dealers should be a real concern for any prospective purchaser. The cost/hassle of getting a car to/from a dealer for service or any problems would put me off. The UK is bad enough for this...the US sounds a nightmare.
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,790 Likes: 160
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,790 Likes: 160 |
As the Morgan model range goes increasingly more upmarket and becomes more expensive, you will see changes to the dealership network, as the suitability or not of the existing dealership showroom experience will come under greater scrutiny and a more cosseting and demanding customer experience will be expected by a potentially more select clientele. So you may see more parting of the ways in the dealership network, with more upmarket new dealerships.
So I think it is also a question of how many will remain to support the trad business as they pull out of the new car sales. Whilst I was well treated at a dealership recently, it wasn't exactly the type of showroom experience I would have expected if parting with substantial sums of money, especially when compared to a Mercedes, BMW or Porsche dealership.
Dealerships and showrooms I'm sure are in for a shake up in the coming years,
Last edited by JohnHarris; 08/07/25 11:31 AM.
Prev '12 Plus 4 Sport OZZY '08 Roadster FELIX '06 4/4 70th LOKI '77 4/4 SEAMUS '85 4/4 MOLLY
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,032 Likes: 10
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,032 Likes: 10 |
I am not surprised MR has pulled the plug. It’s difficult to justify the high cost of demo cars and build slot commitments if the market isn’t there for the number of UK dealers given the factory is now selling direct which must be hard to compete with.
The UK market used to be 50% of total sales now I expect it is under 20% but still has the same number of dealers if not more and the factory doing direct sales it’s likely to small a share for each to make it viable.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 952 Likes: 89
formerly known as Hugh Jorgan Talk Morgan Regular
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formerly known as Hugh Jorgan Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 952 Likes: 89 |
MMC need the dealers more than the dealers need MMC.......! There have been rumours about MR for a few years. I think several of the other 'legacy dealers' might follow........ They don't need to sell new Morgans to stay in business any more. 🤷🏻♂️
A professional and experienced dealer network is surely vital to the expansion of any brand.........
🇬🇧🇬🇧
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 158 Likes: 6
L - Learner Plates On
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L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 158 Likes: 6 |
Looks like Ledgerwoods have left the ship too. No mention on the MMC site anymore.
Sir P
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,699 Likes: 105
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,699 Likes: 105 |
I'm an owner of both a Trad Morgan 4/4 as well as a recent CX-model. The latter one bought from and serviced by the official Dutch dealership (Louwman), which do a good job. My 4/4 is looked after by a Dutch Morgan-specialist. Two complete different worlds. In The Netherlands and Germany (The Dörr-group) you can see Morgans in showrooms next to McLarens. There are two worlds which are growing apart. On our recent journey to both the Factory as well as Williams and Melvyn Rutter, I must admit that I enjoyed the atmosphere with notable Morgan Heritage at MR and Williams, each in their own way. The "average" Morgan buyer, be it a CX or Supersport, is different from a let's say a Porsche or McLaren/Lambo/Maserati buyer. You have to have something with the brand and heritage. I'm sure that even the Supersport will not be free of typical Morgan issues, which will be looked after by a dealer. It's part of the Morgan story. The way you can visit the Factory, speak with Matt Hole, and the atmosphere at both Williams and MR are unique for the brand!
Ruut Bianchi Morgan PlusFour 2023 Bentley Midnight Emerald Morgan 4/4 4-seater 1990 Royal Ivory
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,790 Likes: 160
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,790 Likes: 160 |
, Of course it is enjoyable talking to some of the very established dealers such as Melvyn who are steeped in Morgan and it's heritage and history, That sense of dedication and enthusiasm is not easily replicated, it takes time and much commitment But are times changing and with it the client base, it would be interesting to understand how many new buyers of CX models are completely new to the brand and whether that section of completely new to the brand is growing.
I get the feeling that some of that factory connection and enthusiasm for the brand would be watered down had I not first owned a trad and now moving on to a CX. Because without having first owned a trad, its might be difficult to truly appreciate how far Morgan has come in the last decade or so and how much more accomplished their latest products are compared to their previous offerings..
Last edited by JohnHarris; 08/07/25 02:50 PM.
Prev '12 Plus 4 Sport OZZY '08 Roadster FELIX '06 4/4 70th LOKI '77 4/4 SEAMUS '85 4/4 MOLLY
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 11,854 Likes: 137
Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 11,854 Likes: 137 |
Because without having first owned a trad, its might be difficult to truly appreciate how far Morgan has come in the last decade or so and how much more accomplished their latest products are compared to their previous offerings.. Fair point. I have also realised that as MMC move their product line upmarket, it matters not one jot that us old flat-cappers might complain about the high prices. Morgan are moving into territories where a fully specced Supersport at £130k is actually a bit of a bargain. I recently watched a fascinating episode of the Late Brake Show where Jonny was talking to Gordon Murray, and somewhat intrigued I decided to check out the T33 and T50 cars that his company are building at the moment. According to their website all models are fully sold at the moment and prospective owners are invited to register their interest in a further batch. A T33 is around £1,5 million and a T50 in the order of £3m!
Tim H. 1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,699 Likes: 105
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,699 Likes: 105 |
, Of course it is enjoyable talking to some of the very established dealers such as Melvyn who are steeped in Morgan and it's heritage and history, That sense of dedication and enthusiasm is not easily replicated, it takes time and much commitment But are times changing and with it the client base, it would be interesting to understand how many new buyers of CX models are completely new to the brand and whether that section of completely new to the brand is growing.
I get the feeling that some of that factory connection and enthusiasm for the brand would be watered down had I not first owned a trad and now moving on to a CX. Because without having first owned a trad, its might be difficult to truly appreciate how far Morgan has come in the last decade or so and how much more accomplished their latest products are compared to their previous offerings.. You certainly have a point John. Most of my "CX-friends" were former trad-owners, but some are new. For instance Clemens (CLPlusfour) from Germany is new to the brand. He was part of our party making a tour to Malvern and the dealers (he started a thread about that on TM recently) and became more and more curious and interested in the brand, if I may speak for him. In the Netherlands we are a small Morgan community with 400 MSCCH members and approx. 700 Morgans registered. You can say that almost everybody knows each other. We are too small for e.g. a separate CX(V) group, and as a member of our board, we don't wish so. Everybody welcome, always, regardless of the model, it's the marque that is the bond. Of course there will be Morgan owners who make their own plans and who we never will see. That is okay. I do hope the Club will remain an important glue in our Morgan community. Times are changing, still I think that the average New Morgan buyer is somewhat older, maybe in his (or her) fifties, and is looking for somewhat special, in which heritage will play a role. Time will tell!
Ruut Bianchi Morgan PlusFour 2023 Bentley Midnight Emerald Morgan 4/4 4-seater 1990 Royal Ivory
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