I have known for a while, but its officially announced now; As per title, Sheffield Motorcycle Centre the Ducati and KTM dealer will be closed by the end of August. They have seen a few franchises over the years and have been in various places in Sheffield over the last 20 years or so, but Frank (owner) is calling it a day and moving to run just Steel City Classics out near Chesterfield. SMC are trying to clear everything out and are listing big discounts. I have not been in for a long time so am not sure how good they are. It does mean the loss of yet another Ducati dealer unfortunately. Meaning no dealer at all in South Yorks and only Ducati Leeds in West Yorkshire (which are actually in Shipley) as OEM Ducati in the area.
Always sad to see any business close...my experience with SMC over the years hasn't been good, never return any of my calls, whether for sales or parts and believe me, I've tried many, many times and even messages on ebay....nothing.
The margins must be quite tight in new bikes. The money to be made is on selling the finance I imagine.
Other way round nowadays. Legislation means v little profit in finance but selling ducatis (which often sell themselves and usually at rrp) gives them smaller but guaranteed margin. So duke dealer was saying yesterday
Car dealer networks are taking over. Vertu for a while and now Iron City who are backed by Kia. Its getting more about sterile product shifting year on year.
