As reported, Tippetts Motors Ltd is to relinquish its historic Honda franchise at the end of next month but it transpires that, contrary to its Facebook post at the turn of the year, the dealership is not closing.
Owners Mark and Sue Alexander told BDN: “We will continue for a little while as an independent, selling second-hand machines, to see how it goes. You never know what’s around the corner. BDN published an article on Ford and Ellis not so long ago [Dealership to close after 42 years, October 2019], and we are in the same sort of situation.
“We own the property [two separate shops, two doors apart] but going forward it wouldn’t be feasible to meet Honda’s latest franchise standards. If we did, we would be in our seventies before we would see a full return on our investments. We are just going to continue as we are until 31 March with Honda and then have a look and see what’s around afterwards.”
Mark continued: “We’ve partnered Honda since 1960. We have done all the changes that have been required of us up until now. We are not saying the things Honda currently wants to do are wrong, it is just that in our present time of life and situation it’s not what we can do going forward.
“I have no grievance with Honda. I can see where it is going with its business model, but as a company and a family we don’t have the next generation coming through. A couple of our offspring have had a dabble in the business, but they don’t like it.
“We have had a wonderful experience over the past 60 years and want to say a big thank you to Honda past and present for the life we have had being part of the global family. We would also like to thank the dealers and staff we have had the pleasure of calling friends.”
Mark and Sue pointed out that Tippetts as a business had sold only Honda since the 1960s. The roots go deep, which is why Mark says he would not consider taking on another franchise.
Full story in the February issue of BDN.
Pictured top are, from left, Honda UK boss Neil Fletcher, Sue Alexander, Honda UK MD David Hodgetts, and Mark Alexander. The second image is Mark Alexander’s father, Phillip; brother Richard; and Mary Young, “the back bone of Tippetts for 25 years”