Has the tide turned?

Just seen this.

Auto-trail to cut 10% of factory staff.

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Richard

I know nothing about Auto-Trail.. but comments can be found on other forums/social media about their abysmal build quality and poor after sales service.

B****t seems to be the go to excuse for poorly run companies, Land Rover Jaguar seem to be the same.

I’m a bit sceptical of this being blamed on brexit, as if that was the case it would be a problem more widely reported across the UK motorhome industry. Some of the comments on the article are quite cutting, and one suggested they were taking on staff only a month ago ? I just wonder is Brexit being blamed as a convenient scapegoat, when in actual fact  the problems are much closer to home within Autotrail.

Sales down 10% ! A British only problem? Anyone know how AS sales are performing?

Les W wrote:I know nothing about Auto-Trail.. but comments can be found on other forums/social media about their abysmal build quality and poor after sales service.

B****t seems to be the go to excuse for poorly run companies, Land Rover Jaguar seem to be the same.

Loads of comments on motorhomefun.co.uk, as you say many about build level and water leaks.
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Richard

Paulmold wrote:Sales down 10% ! A British only problem? Anyone know how AS sales are performing?

On my recent visit to local dealer, Dolphin, I noticed very few A/S, plenty of Swift, Elddis etc. All about the same price and brand new just waiting for a punter.

Not sure what that means. But I am sure A/S will come out on top looking at the build/layouts etc.

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Richard

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 Can’t find any data on 2018 sales figures, but here are the figures up to 2017 across the UK motorhome industry.




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There has been a fairly recent surge in the popularity of motorhomes (can't find the figures just now) and sales have been rising year on year for a while now.

That can only go on for so long until the new (as in previouslu untapped) market is saturated, after which sales will fall back to somewhere near what they were before.

I can't see how Brexit can make any difference here, although it's so convenient to use it as an excuse.

Uncertainty about the future of diesel may have a bearing, but only marginal I would think on a vehicle which is used only occasionally, and therefore not essential for daily life like a car.

I would think it's more to do with the ebb and flow of m/h popularity, with poor reputation and management possibly adding to the effect.


Ah . . . Thanks Milvus. You found the figures while I was bashing the keys! 

Didn't see the sale headlines this year, of how successful Marquis were at the NEC. Their website advertises that the show offers were being continued at each show site. Maybe sales are down generally this year, compared with the last two years.

Bad Penny wrote:Didn't see the sale headlines this year, of how successful Marquis were at the NEC. Their website advertises that the show offers were being continued at each show site. Maybe sales are down generally this year, compared with the last two years.

I have read that attendance at the NEC was down 25% this year. On a positive point you were able to get around with ease.
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Richard

New car sales have dropped significantly as well. It’s possible the impact of those using “pension pots” has passed and the sales figures may be returning to a more normal pattern. At some stage we have to reach saturation point, don’t we?

I think we will see Brexit blamed for everything for a good number of years to come, very easy and can't be disproved.

260 seems a small headcount for the company.

Sales have boomed in the last few years even with the poor economic state, probably mainly fuelled by pensions being cashed in.  This would likely slow after the initial high level straight after the pensions freedoms were introduced so a slow down is likely.

This area, both banks of the Humber has had a high proportion of Motorhome, caravan and statics manufacturing for many years and employment numbers has always fluctuated by season and year depending on demand. 

Unless there is an issue with Autotrals we will see others manufacturers follow.

Mike

Paulmold wrote:Sales down 10% ! A British only problem? Anyone know how AS sales are performing?

I agree. I don't see AT as a British/European company expecting problem post B****t. They haven't ventured abroad and perhaps their usual customers are purchasing somewhere else. 
Rich..

Les W wrote:I know nothing about Auto-Trail.. but comments can be found on other forums/social media about their abysmal build quality and poor after sales service.

B****t seems to be the go to excuse for poorly run companies, Land Rover Jaguar seem to be the same.

JLR sales down 45% in China!

Autotrail like Swift group export to Australia and New Zealand and possibly other countries. Not sure how much they do into the European Union.

Mike