Kawasaki is tackling the issue of dealer open points by setting up its own dealership in the South of England. The manufacturer used its recent round of regional liaison meetings to reassure its dealer network that the move is a one-off.
Howard Dale, general manager of Kawasaki Motors UK (pictured), explained that the move was “purely driven by the number of historic open points around the UK and particularly in the South of England”.
Dale made it clear that this was not the start of a manufacturer owned dealer network, but “one single site in a very important key trading area where a cluster of open points has existed for more than three years”. He went on to explain that it was becoming extremely hard to find the right business partners, particularly in the South, due to a high property and set-up costs.
The site KMUK has is mind is yet to be confirmed, but a planning application has been lodged. He went on to to stress that it was vitally important that a KMUK dealership would operate on a level playing field and on exactly the same terms as any other Kawasaki dealer and the dealership would operate totally independently from KMUK as a separate standalone business and would have to make a profit to survive and thrive like any other business.
Dale commented: “We will be totally transparent in respects of the business operation and its trading accounts. The dealership will effectively become an extension of the Kawasaki Training Academy and we will be actively encouraging dealer principals and staff of other Kawasaki dealerships to spend time in the operation for training and development purposes.”
The proposed outlet will provide employment for around six people, offering the usual dealer facilities and operating from a modest 500sq.m site. Further information will be made available once premises have been confirmed.
Full story in the next issue of BDN.