F&I Management & Training

Renault is poised to close several dealerships in its retail division following a review of the business.

The Renault Retail Group said it is ‘restructuring sites' to ensure that it is in a ‘strong position' to face the economic downturn.

The group is considering the future of its Dartford and London City dealerships as well as its Beddington Farm bodyshop and Croydon service centre.

It currently operates a 25-strong dealer network.

"As is the case with most dealer groups, we've had to take a very close look at each site within our portfolio to ensure that each is able to make a contribution the group and have reluctantly put forward these proposals to safeguard the future of staff at other sites within the group," said RRG managing director Ian Plummer.

"The current market conditions are the most challenging the motor industry has faced in years.

"This has meant that we are striving to be more efficient by streamlining our operations wherever possible. In that respect, we're clearly no different to the rest of the motor retail industry."

Despite the announcement, the Renault Retail Group was thought to be in good shape - it said it had beaten its 2007 targets at the start of the year after recording a 0.7 per cent increase in market share year-on-year.

It accounts for aprroximately a quarter of the French brand's UK sales.

DATED: 04.11.08

FEED: MT