More dealerships needed.!

[Deano]

I appreciate that Norton is a low volume manufacturer these days, but the lack of dealerships in the UK (and presumably elsewhere) is not good, it has to be said. Does the company have plans to add any more in the future? For me, a dealership in the central south would be most welcome, as the nearest one is more than a 150 mile round trip. I’m sure there are many other owners who would have to travel even further.!

 

[jan nelder]

given the patchy history of relations between factory and dealers past and present, could be a time!!

 

[Fast Eddie]

I appreciate that Norton is a low volume manufacturer these days, but the lack of dealerships in the UK (and presumably elsewhere) is not good, it has to be said. Does the company have plans to add any more in the future? For me, a dealership in the central south would be most welcome, as the nearest one is more than a 150 mile round trip. I’m sure there are many other owners who would have to travel even further.!

Deano, I used to think like you. And you are correct. But then I read the posts from our 961 comrades in the US and NZ and Oz.

Some of those boys make round trips of over 1000 miles to their dealer. And often their dealers can’t get parts!

Some of them just don’t have a dealer anymore.

Comparatively speaking, we have it really good in the UK. There are good dealers in the North, South, East (ish) and West (Wales) and many of us are driveable distance from the factory.

 

[Bluey72e]

I appreciate that Norton is a low volume manufacturer these days, but the lack of dealerships in the UK (and presumably elsewhere) is not good, it has to be said. Does the company have plans to add any more in the future? For me, a dealership in the central south would be most welcome, as the nearest one is more than a 150 mile round trip. I’m sure there are many other owners who would have to travel even further.!

"and presumably elsewhere" yeah like EVERYWHERE..!!

I hear they're setting up in India...... its a market thing, a Billion + dudes wanna ride Norton's apparently ??

 

[Deano]

I do recognise that we're comparatively well served in the UK compared with other countries & I'm thankful for that. But as a comparison, Norton produces a similar amount of bikes per year as Morgan do cars (850), yet Morgan have a much greater dealer network both in the UK & everywhere else. We all want to see Norton succeed & flourish whilst still remaining a premium product manufacturer, but I can't help thinking that the minimal number of dealers must put some prospective owners off. Just a thought, that's all...

 

[jan nelder]

I agree, it doesn’t help, especially with 650s coming on stream soon. What is company plans/policy on this??

 

[Fast Eddie]

I agree 100% with the need for more dealerships. I also hope the 650 changes this. With the 961 I feel the company was always in a ‘chicken and egg’ type catch 22 situation.

Don’t forget Morgan have been in constant production for 110 years, so do have a 100 year head start with their dealer network.

Dealers are in business to earn money. There have been a very high number of dealerships stop selling Norton’s. So as someone already mentioned, there must be an issue for them here. If there wasn’t, and if the Norton sales made them money, they’d keep selling ‘em.

BTW, I don’t not believe the factory ever built 850 961s in a year ...

 

[BLIGHTYBRIT/SF]

BTW, I don’t not believe the factory ever built 850 961s in a year ...

Nor do I , 9 ish years of new norton ,3500-4000 total I’d say according to all the info/rumours/gossip/tatler /facts & fakenews

 

[Welshrugby]

We all want the company to succeed but it's rather nice not to see too many around. So Norton ownership currently is about being able to have a bit of extra time to take a day off to get it serviced at HQ. If you are lucky, you mind bump into the likes of John McGuiness or other well known riders on a visit like some have done. It's the price of having something a bit special I suppose. Aerial I believe or is it CCM, have a mobile service van that comes to you, now that might be something they should consider?

 

[N0rt0nelectr@]

I appreciate that Norton is a low volume manufacturer these days, but the lack of dealerships in the UK (and presumably elsewhere) is not good, it has to be said. Does the company have plans to add any more in the future? For me, a dealership in the central south would be most welcome, as the nearest one is more than a 150 mile round trip. I’m sure there are many other owners who would have to travel even further.!

Many would be buyers here in the US would agree. The last time I checked ( just for giggles) there wasn't an importer and only 4 dealers for the entire US. Rumor has it that the dealers weren't being paid for warranty work and getting parts was a problem. I would love for Norton to up production and build a real dealer network with lots of parts backup. Do I think it will happen, no.
John in Texas

 

[BritTwit]

I think this will happen.
It's badly needed for future business success.
But right now with V4 production, pending 650 production, I doubt signing up dealers/distributors is high on the Norton todo list.

 

[worntorn]

Im not sure that having a multitude of dealers is essential to Norton's survival.
Here in Vancouver a group of us ride ancient bikes (Vincents)great distances with no dealer network. We have shipped bikes to the UK, Eastern Canada, Australia and Germany just to go for a ride in a new country.
As long they are put in good mechanical condition, the bikes are reliable for very large mileages. Parts are relatively easy to get in a few days, or overnight, if in a rush.
The lack of dealerships doesn't make the bikes hard to sell.
Same with other old British bikes including the original Commandos.
Dealers are long gone but the interest in the bike continues, or is increasing.
There is an excellent parts supply for both of the brand's mentioned, so that seems to be the key.
Without parts the Dealers are hamstrung as are owner mechanics.
Norton needs to fix the main problems with the 961 so that they have good five year reliability from new. If they also offer a complete parts inventory for the bikes, things could go very well for them.



Glen

 

[jan nelder]

I agree 100% with the need for more dealerships. I also hope the 650 changes this. With the 961 I feel the company was always in a ‘chicken and egg’ type catch 22 situation.

Don’t forget Morgan have been in constant production for 110 years, so do have a 100 year head start with their dealer network.

Dealers are in business to earn money. There have been a very high number of dealerships stop selling Norton’s. So as someone already mentioned, there must be an issue for them here. If there wasn’t, and if the Norton sales made them money, they’d keep selling ‘em.

BTW, I don’t not believe the factory ever built 850 961s in a year ...

chap I spoke to said current capacity is 500 a year, soon to double with the 650 assembly space.

 

[Kid Thunder]

It's fine if you are a mechanic. You don't need a dealer network. I do most of my own work. I own an Aprilia & a an EBR as well as the Norton. It's just that sometimes you NEED a dealer!
I'm on the east coast living in NEW ENGLAND!! Closes dealer is 1000 mile west. 4 dealers in the whole country. All west.
You would think that NEW ENGLAND would have a dealer. NOTHING on the east coast.

 

[BritTwit]

It's fine if you are a mechanic. You don't need a dealer network. I do most of my own work. I own an Aprilia & a an EBR as well as the Norton. It's just that sometimes you NEED a dealer!
I'm on the east coast living in NEW ENGLAND!! Closes dealer is 1000 mile west. 4 dealers in the whole country. All west.
You would think that NEW ENGLAND would have a dealer. NOTHING on the east coast.

There were 2 east coast dealers early on 2014, one on Long Island, NY and one in New Jersey.
But there was not enough demand for product for dealers to make money.
Also, too many warranty issues as well.

Building a dealer network will take time, and product that the market wants to buy.
The 961 was not that product, let's hope the V4 1200 and 650's can attract future buyers.

 

[Deano]

It's worth remembering also that (with the exception of some bigger Japanese manufacturers who are often exclusive) many main dealers are multi brand, so you might get Fantic, Indian, Ducati, CCM for example, all at one place. On that basis, there are many seemingly suitable dealers already out there which must minimise the cost of setting up from scratch. Adding one extra manufacturer on shouldn't be too difficult, providing they meet the criteria set by Norton & the potential sales exist in the region etc.

 

[Danno]

Many multi-line dealers got that way from absorbing failed dealers of other brands. Much depends upon what sort of a deal on stock and floor plan the distributor offers these places to take over the failures.

 

[BritTwit]

Adding one extra manufacturer on shouldn't be too difficult, providing they meet the criteria set by Norton & the potential sales exist in the region etc.

That's the problem.

The 2 dealers on the east coast were multi-brand dealers that added Norton to their line.
A Norton only dealer is probably a decade or more away, and that's if Norton can build a solid reputation in 10 years or so.
High cost of warranty work for the 961, and low consumer interest due to bad publicity over the known problems turned the dealers off to the brand here in the US.
And believe me, one of those dealers was crazy about the brand, but ultimately decided the cost of carrying the brand was a financial drain on his business.

Attracting dealers to the brand here in the US and in other markets will depend on Norton supplying reliable machines, and properly compensating dealers for warranty work that they perform.
It's too late for the 961, you can't create a second first impression.
People see the 961 as a flawed product, but I think Norton can change the trend with the the V4 and 650's.

 

[Deano]

That's the problem.

The 2 dealers on the east coast were multi-brand dealers that added Norton to their line.
A Norton only dealer is probably a decade or more away, and that's if Norton can build a solid reputation in 10 years or so.
High cost of warranty work for the 961, and low consumer interest due to bad publicity over the known problems turned the dealers off to the brand here in the US.
And believe me, one of those dealers was crazy about the brand, but ultimately decided the cost of carrying the brand was a financial drain on his business.

Attracting dealers to the brand here in the US and in other markets will depend on Norton supplying reliable machines, and properly compensating dealers for warranty work that they perform.
It's too late for the 961, you can't create a second first impression.
People see the 961 as a flawed product, but I think Norton can change the trend with the the V4 and 650's.

That’s a good point well made. In truth, the 961 is no worse a Norton in reliability & build quality terms than any other Norton ever was. In many respects it’s better. But other manufacturers are producing bikes now that are so reliable & that sets the base expectation in people’s minds for anything they buy. Quite rightly so IMHO but not all of us want a Honda & there lies the irony in all this...