A CAR dealership in Barnsley has closed its doors amid falling sales and a move towards electric vehicles.
Japanese manufacturer Honda confirmed it had closed its site on Whaley Road, Barugh Green, this week as part of a raft of closures that will see it reduce its total number of UK dealerships by almost 20 per cent blaming ‘changing consumer behaviours’ and a move towards electrification.
A spokesman for Honda UK confirmed the dealership, one of two in Yorkshire run by the Vantage Motor Group, was among 30 sites marked for closure.
“Honda UK will be reducing its dealer network in order to create a sustainable and independently viable business model for the future – both for Honda UK and for our retail network,” said the spokesman.
“While there are number of elements impacting this decision, such as changing consumer behaviours and the powertrain shift as we move towards 100 per cent electrification, the reality is that the average drive time for a new Honda retail sale is 35 to 40 minutes.
“Our network is currently mapped on a 20 minute drive time.
“Competitor brands with similar market shares have smaller networks, generating the opportunity for a higher return for each site.
“Honda UK will be reducing its dealer network in order to create a sustainable and independently viable business model for the future – both for Honda UK and for our retail network.”
Earlier this year, Honda confirmed plans to close its Swindon, Wiltshire manufacturing plant in 2021, cutting the number of its Civic models that are produced by 160,000.
