How the German & French car Makers get their profits from us!
With their AUTOMOTIVE AFTER SALES!!.
Contrary to popular misconception, car SALES are not lucrative. However, After sales is a big market and very lucrative for the EU Car manufacturers. Also, the leasing and insurance side is a big profit generator for them.
Comment from a reader about his experience.
"The last service at VW cost me the best part of £1,000. For a car, that is serviced regularly and hardly moved. It's a rip-off. Replacing the expensive sythentic oil after only 3.5K for £180 is extortionate. That was 5 years ago. Consequences? I no longer service the vehicle at VW. Rather, I have a local garage, not a franchise, a small business do the work. These guys are trained professionals who worked for dealerships before going it alone. When they source parts, I ask them specifically to source not from the dealership but from OEM (original equipment manufactures) or equivalent."
There is no better way to help your local UK community using owner-operated local businesses like this. I've have some professional exposure to the automotive industry. I really know where they make their money. If you want to hit the EU car makers. Hit their dealership networks, insurance, leasing, warranty and especially replacement parts business.
They can't survive on sales. They don't even make their money there. It's the "little extras" they offer. Especially PARTS and SERVICE.
Many British manufactured cars rely on parts from the EU...well until they can get these from other sources there is little that the British buyer can do, other than having the satisfaction that the purchase of a British manufactured car is keeping British workers in employment instead of keeping German & French workers in comfort!
So, for your next new car purchase, think about this?
Secondhand EU cars do not pose such a challenge as generally the car is out of warranty and so servicing is by a local garage rather than the main dealer who supplied it in the first place! If you have bought a secondhand EU car, go to your local garage or at least an independent garage with non of the expensive mark up on servicing and car parts etc.