A MAJOR car dealership with hundreds of employees has closed down a number of Skoda, Kia, Mazda, and Vauxhall sites for good.
The motoring giant Underwoods shut the doors of five of its Colchester showrooms.
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They closed their Skoda dealership in March, which was followed by a flurry of closures including its Kia, Mazda, and Vauxhall dealerships.
The Kia and Vauxhall dealerships shut down in May and the ownership of the Mazda dealership was passed onto a new owner during the same month.
The Kia dealership, which had been represented in Colchester by Underwoods for over ten years also shut its doors in May, but another Kia showroom operated by Glynn Hopkin was opened later in the month.
Gerry Wiggins, the managing director of Underwoods, emphasised that the decision to close down the dealerships was out of the firm’s hands.
“As I am sure you are aware these are changing times within the motor industry, including online sales,” he said at the time.
“The changes in the way car manufacturers work with their appointed dealers means Underwoods is moving away from representing manufacturers as their main dealer, instead focusing on used car sales and garage services.
“Underwoods will maintain three locations in Clacton, Sudbury, and Tiptree, and its boss emphasised it will continue to provide Kia maintenance and warranty repairs to their customers at the Kia authorised location in Clacton”.
Mr Wiggins added: “Underwoods remains a strong, family-run business, totally dedicated to providing support to all drivers.
“We are fortunate to remain with a great team of people working with us, providing an excellent level of customer service. We are as always, here for your driving life.”
Fortunately, no jobs were lost as a result of the series of closures.
Wiggins thanked the firm’s loyal customers, saying: “We greatly value our customers, and would like to thank all the Underwoods customers who have been so supportive over the years, returning time and time again for their next vehicle and servicing.”
It comes as another huge car dealership is set to shut after 20 years, with “no plans” to reopen.
Motors giant Citroen announced that it will no longer supply dealership franchise Barretts with its cars.
And a car dealership that specialises in Fiats, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, and Jeeps is set to close down a garage.
Nation-wide chain Johnsons announced the closure of its popular branch in Dorridge, Solihull.
