GreenGiant 287 Posted July 17, 2015 I think I must have fallen asleep and woken up in 1993.Lionel Ritchie is smashing it at Glastonbury, Jurassic Park is the summer blockbuster at the Multiplex.And some newly-appointed, power-crazed Motor Manufacturer Exec, (straight out of UniBocconi, no doubt) comes out with this little gem:‘Do things the way we want you to or you're out’ The recently appointed head of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for the Fiat Professional brand Domenico Gostoli is warning dealers if they don’t represent the brand correctly then they will lose the franchise. Gostoli said: “Dealers are either in or they’re out. We’re completely reshaping our dealer network, and this is across the world, not just in the UK. We need the dealer network to be a reflection of us and do things the way we do, not how they want to .Didn't all that 'We're in charge' nonsense disappear a while back when the economy was on it's arse and you couldn't give a new car away? Oh, but things are improving a bit now aren't they? Dealers are starting to scratch a living. And old habits die hard it seems, especially within the manufacturers' Ivory Towers.There's nothing like a little bit of motivation for your network to get them pushing forwards, is there?And this is Fiat we're talking about. Renowned for quality, durability and reliability...People in glass houses..., Signore Gostoli...I also learned (a looooong time ago) that you don't pee on people on the way up. 'Cos they're still there when you're on the way back down. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil H 124 Posted July 17, 2015 Is it a case of the big boys telling the little one's of us what to do again, or is it Fix It Again Tomorrow telling us that it's thinking about going down the retailing route just like the others and getting rid of the competition? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Baggott 227 Posted July 17, 2015 We love you GG for your honesty. I wonder if Fiat will out their man up to chat to Car Dealer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted July 18, 2015 GG Think most manufactures have been guilty of this .. when things are good they pick and choose who will represent them and ask the earth ! when the bad times comes they are begging to be chosen ! #circles 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites