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[terry paget]

Downside Motors, Chilcompton, Somerset, has for years been my local Vauxhall dealership. Since 1977 they have run a Vauxhall garage, selling new and used Vauxhalls, servicing them and selling spares. The service manager Peter Kuzemka has been helpful to me with advice and Tech II readings.

SWMBO and I spend our evenings watching TV while playing with our PCs. Yesterday at 2230 SWMBO sprang up and announced that Downside Motors was closing, news having come via internet from a chum in Chilcompton. This morning I drove the 3 miles there and checked, met Peter, he confirmed it, blaming the pandemic and consequent fall in custom.

Bother.

[TheBoy]

The car industry is suffering massively, as the Brexit issue had knackered the UK manufacturing, and the not quite ever official but everyone knew it was there, recession of the past 3 or 4 years has had a huge impact on retail sales.

The sniffle thing has just knackered the remaining business and fleet markets, and obviously the 2nd hand market.  TBH, it was likely they were going to close anyway, much like our old retail industry, but the covid thing just made it this year, not in 2 years time.


The old motto of use it or lose it rings true, but with younger generations preferring online, and insisting that local retailers fix/adjust/advise stuff when it goes wrong, the losing it bit is getting more and more common.  Thats generic across all sectors, from clothes sales to cars sales.

[deviator]

For me the PSA deal was the nail in the coffin for Vauxhall. They lost my interest when the Vec C came out, the styling just..... isn't there. Granted they have grown on me, but no thanks. I was waiting until the Insignia came down in price, as I think they are a nicer car, but the PSA news killed that off. Well PSA and the fact a lot of dealerships dropped Service Club/Trade Club (or whatever they call it this week).

I class the majority of PSA cars as 'appliance cars'. You don't know the model of your washing machine/fridge/freezer - you don't need to. If it breaks, you buy a new one and bin the last one. There is the odd exception of something mildly interesting, but the vast majority I wouldn't know what model they are by just looking. From a car guy, that is sad, for me anyway.

[TheBoy]

For me the PSA deal was the nail in the coffin for Vauxhall. They lost my interest when the Vec C came out, the styling just..... isn't there. Granted they have grown on me, but no thanks. I was waiting until the Insignia came down in price, as I think they are a nicer car, but the PSA news killed that off. Well PSA and the fact a lot of dealerships dropped Service Club/Trade Club (or whatever they call it this week).

I class the majority of PSA cars as 'appliance cars'. You don't know the model of your washing machine/fridge/freezer - you don't need to. If it breaks, you buy a new one and bin the last one. There is the odd exception of something mildly interesting, but the vast majority I wouldn't know what model they are by just looking. From a car guy, that is sad, for me anyway.

I suspect average Joe Public has no idea that Vauxhall hasn't been a British brand for decades, even less that PSA own it.  Look at the advertising tagline used since PSA bought it, and how they are trying to highlight its British

[Rangie]

It's a crying shame what's happening to businesses everywhere , must be absolutely awful for folk that have mortgages & young families to care for .

[Nick W]

I class the majority of PSA cars as 'appliance cars'. You don't know the model of your washing machine/fridge/freezer - you don't need to. If it breaks, you buy a new one and bin the last one. There is the odd exception of something mildly interesting, but the vast majority I wouldn't know what model they are by just looking. From a car guy, that is sad, for me anyway.

I suspect average Joe Public has no idea that Vauxhall hasn't been a British brand for decades, even less that PSA own it.  Look at the advertising tagline used since PSA bought it, and how they are trying to highlight its British

It's five years short of a century.


As for PSA making appliance cars, that's been Vauxhall's market since the thirties - cars that were basically OK,  but, with the very occasional exception, made you wonder just how they managed to be so dull. It's hardly a niche market, as Austin, Morris, Hillman, Toyota, VW(Golf onwards), Peugeot and others also helped fill it.


I still contend that the only reason PSA bought Opel(which is what Vauxhall really is) was to be able to control more of the massive overcapacity the European car industry has. By control, I do of course mean dramatically reduce. And with Brexit we've given them a fantastic excuse to kill off their UK factories,

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Being French, they wouldnt need any excuse. 

[Nick W]

Being French, they wouldnt need any excuse. 

True, but having one is a nice bonus. And everybody loves those.


It will also mean that Luton's workers won't need to go out of their houses

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

If for some reason I was forced to live in Luton, not going out of my house would be the best thing that could possibly happen to me. 

[Doctor Gollum]

If I were allowed to go to work, then I potentially have to go to Luton periodically, but that's a side effect of being contracted to the 'Orange product'...

Being based there permanently would make for a shitty commute... Because there's no way on this planet that I would live there

[Broomies Mate]

If for some reason I was forced to live in Luton, not going out of my house would be the best thing that could possibly happen to me. 

I have a 2017 Vivaro.  I don't think the people from Luton actually leave their house, they just let the monkeys screw the thing together and ship it out.

[Doctor Gollum]

If for some reason I was forced to live in Luton, not going out of my house would be the best thing that could possibly happen to me. 

I have a 2017 Vivaro.  I don't think the people from Luton actually leave their house, they just let the monkeys screw the thing together and ship it out.

Did they remember to seam seal the roof panel on yours?

[Nick W]

If for some reason I was forced to live in Luton, not going out of my house would be the best thing that could possibly happen to me. 

I have a 2017 Vivaro.  I don't think the people from Luton actually leave their house, they just let the monkeys screw the thing together and ship it out.

Don't forget it's actually a French van(could we have a spitting emoji?). I suspect the wine in Luton has an extra h in it

[Broomies Mate]

If for some reason I was forced to live in Luton, not going out of my house would be the best thing that could possibly happen to me. 

I have a 2017 Vivaro.  I don't think the people from Luton actually leave their house, they just let the monkeys screw the thing together and ship it out.

Did they remember to seam seal the roof panel on yours?

Yep, and in fairness, it looks similar to how I silicone a bath in.  I'm not very good with a silicone gun. 

[Broomies Mate]

If for some reason I was forced to live in Luton, not going out of my house would be the best thing that could possibly happen to me. 

I have a 2017 Vivaro.  I don't think the people from Luton actually leave their house, they just let the monkeys screw the thing together and ship it out.

Don't forget it's actually a French van(could we have a spitting emoji?). I suspect the wine in Luton has an extra h in it

Kudos to them.  The Vivaro, (whilst not the most frugal, or refined engine wise*) is the most comfortable van I've ever owned.  I do roughly 40k a year, and it's far superior to the Custom, and the T5.

*Little 1.6M9R with variable geo turbo.  Goes well enough, but I've averaged 30.1MPG since owning (currently 117k)

[johnnydog]

Downside Motors, Chilcompton, Somerset, has for years been my local Vauxhall dealership. Since 1977 they have run a Vauxhall garage, selling new and used Vauxhalls, servicing them and selling spares. The service manager Peter Kuzemka has been helpful to me with advice and Tech II readings.

SWMBO and I spend our evenings watching TV while playing with our PCs. Yesterday at 2230 SWMBO sprang up and announced that Downside Motors was closing, news having come via internet from a chum in Chilcompton. This morning I drove the 3 miles there and checked, met Peter, he confirmed it, blaming the pandemic and consequent fall in custom.

Bother.

Never mind the service manager, get to the parts man and see what Omega parts are gathering dust at the back of shelves.....you may be pleasantly surprised and get the odd bargain or three 
But on serious note, it's sorry situation but the way smaller dealerships are going as it is difficult for them to compete with internet sales,  price matching and pure volume of sales. The personal touch doesnt seem to come into it to the same degree today 

[Nick W]

Never mind the service manager, get to the parts man and see what Omega parts are gathering dust at the back of shelves.....you may be pleasantly surprised and get the odd bargain or three 

Yes, all those parts gathering dust because they weren't needed over the last twenty years when the car were common and in daily use. So they'll definitely be odd, but unlikely to be bargains. Unless you like crouching almost naked in a wet cave with a stolen ring for company

[johnnydog]

Yes the like parts that nobody wanted at the last dealership I went to that were relocating - a genuine complete sealed V6 cambelt kit for £35, a brand new boxed 5 spoke facelift Elite alloy rim boxed for £40 and set of GM coated 296mm front discs for £20. But each to their own....I presume then you do like  crouching naked in a wet cave.....?

[johnnydog]

Plus, I forgot to include the crank sensor, a couple of sets of pads, carbon pollen filters, air filters and brake pad wear sensors, all for very (and I mean very) little money....
You may jest, but if you don't ask, you don't get......

[Nick W]

Plus, I forgot to include the crank sensor, a couple of sets of pads, carbon pollen filters, air filters and brake pad wear sensors, all for very (and I mean very) little money....
You may jest, but if you don't ask, you don't get......

I know that happens, but you're much more likely to be offered a LHD sub-scuttle support moulding(with dried up self adhesive) for £13.57 which is a bargain because it's 1/3 of the original price.


As a former storeman I wonder how big their building was if they could afford to keep a boxed wheel for that long. I would also suspect that it was only there because somebody ordered the wrong part....

[johnnydog]

Someone elses mistake or an incorrect order, but my gain! Judging on the dust on the box, it had been there for some time, and the other plus was that I could pick and choose what I wanted, instead of all or nothing, in which case I may have ended up with a LHD sub-scuttle support moulding....

[LC0112G]

Up until about 5 years ago I used to get a list of excess stock from my dealer about once every 6 months. They tried to filter it down to just Omega B, Senator and Carlton coz that's all I was interested in.

The price was about one-tenth of list. What happened was that every six months they did a stock check, and put the excess stock in a metal container in the back yard. Then after another 6 months they would throw away (yes literally chuck in a skip) the contents of the container in order to put the next 6 months worth of excess stock in.

If you're on good terms with your dealer it's gotta be worth asking. I managed to get 3 Senator B ride control shox for £25 each and passed them on to ABS members.

[andyc]

PSA have killed off about 175 Vauxhall dealers across the UK when they over Vauxhall/Opel. They have now set up parts hubs, about fifty around the UK that now supply all the other Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen & DS dealers and the IMT's and Body Shops.

The smaller dealers if they have not already will be shutting down there trade parts operations and will only be supplying there own workshops and bodyshops.

Tradeclub is long gone, PSA will be setting up another type of Trade Parts operation and to incluse there factor side, Eurorepar you willhave to be a proper trader to get trade discount.

My old place, which some of you might remember have gone from Four Vans on the road, five in the phone office and three back room staff to no vans and only two parts staff.

Andy

[Kevin McG]

Hi.
I’m very interested in sourcing new windscreen fittings and rubber goalpost moulding.
I noticed on one of your posts that you have been able to find them.
Please can you help.
Cheers, Kevin 07857060492

[annihilator]

Add Lookers(formerly garlick,burrell and edwards) Birkenhead to the closed down list,trading from it's Woodchurch rd site since 1938.

[johnnydog]

Hi.
I’m very interested in sourcing new windscreen fittings and rubber goalpost moulding.
I noticed on one of your posts that you have been able to find them.
Please can you help.
Cheers, Kevin 07857060492

Just for a response to your post Kevin, following our conversation, as promised, I will get the relevant part numbers and which parts are still available from VX and be in touch....

[ronnyd]

PSA have killed off about 175 Vauxhall dealers across the UK when they over Vauxhall/Opel. They have now set up parts hubs, about fifty around the UK that now supply all the other Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen & DS dealers and the IMT's and Body Shops.

The smaller dealers if they have not already will be shutting down there trade parts operations and will only be supplying there own workshops and bodyshops.

Tradeclub is long gone, PSA will be setting up another type of Trade Parts operation and to incluse there factor side, Eurorepar you willhave to be a proper trader to get trade discount.

My old place, which some of you might remember have gone from Four Vans on the road, five in the phone office and three back room staff to no vans and only two parts staff.

Andy

I trust you mean Drive Vauxhall in Cotton Lane, Bury St. Eds. Andy.

[andyc]

PSA have killed off about 175 Vauxhall dealers across the UK when they over Vauxhall/Opel. They have now set up parts hubs, about fifty around the UK that now supply all the other Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen & DS dealers and the IMT's and Body Shops.

The smaller dealers if they have not already will be shutting down there trade parts operations and will only be supplying there own workshops and bodyshops.

Tradeclub is long gone, PSA will be setting up another type of Trade Parts operation and to incluse there factor side, Eurorepar you willhave to be a proper trader to get trade discount.

My old place, which some of you might remember have gone from Four Vans on the road, five in the phone office and three back room staff to no vans and only two parts staff.

Andy

I trust you mean Drive Vauxhall in Cotton Lane, Bury St. Eds. Andy.

Yup!