Harwoods Group announces new dealerships in Coulsdon and Crawley
New dealerships mark a major step forward for Harwood’s commitment to sustainable mobility
New sites open at Crawley on the 7th of October and at Coulsdon on the 11th of November
Harwoods announces further portfolio updates, including the closure of its Land Rover site in Pulborough after nearly sixty years of dedicated service
Harwoods Group is preparing to open its doors to its first dedicated electric and hybrid vehicle dealerships in Crawley and Coulsdon in partnership with global EV manufacturer BYD as the automotive retailer cements its commitment to sustainable mobility.
A new customer-centric sales hub is now open in Manor Royal, Crawley as of the 7th of October 2024 and a new full showroom will open on Brighton Road, Coulsdon this winter.
The new Crawley showroom will offer customers an immersive experience with BYD’s latest electric and hybrid models, reinforcing Harwood’s dedication to sustainable automotive solutions.
The new Harwoods BYD Coulsdon dealership will provide customers with access to BYD’s cutting edge line-up of EVs. A dedicated team of EV specialists will be on hand to guide buyers through their EV journey, ensuring a seamless experience from vehicle selection to aftersales support.
In addition to offering a variety of BYD’s electric and hybrid vehicles, the dealership will provide essential services such as EV charging solutions, making it easier for customers to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.
Archie Harwood, CEO of Harwoods Group, said: “We are excited to welcome BYD into the Harwoods family. This partnership is a significant milestone as we all continue our journey towards a more sustainable future. We are confident that our customers will be impressed not only by the innovative vehicles on offer but by the exceptional service provided at Harwoods BYD.”
The announcement of Harwood’s new dealerships forms part of a companywide strategy and portfolio re-structuring to maintain and improve its position as the South of England’s leading automotive retailer.
As part of these reforms, the company has announced a strategic decision to close its Land Rover site in Pulborough after nearly sixty years of dedicated service to the Pulborough community. The dealership will close from 10th of November 2024 and staff and have already been informed with customer communications to follow. It is the group’s intention to offer continued employment at surrounding sites to the majority of the existing base of some 42 colleagues.
In addition, Harwoods Group is re-configuring its Chichester site in West Sussex which will remain open, but from 10th November 2024 it will no longer sell new and approved used Jaguar cars, and instead will sell used cars through the group’s recently launched Harwoods Assured platform as well as operating as an authorised repairer for Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.
These strategic decisions form part of a companywide strategy to consolidate and improve its operations in response to the evolving automotive retail landscape as well as moving towards a more sustainable future.
The decision has also been prompted in response to wider changes within the automotive industry and from manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) ongoing reconfiguration of its retail network and business model across the UK.
CEO Archie Harwood added: “Harwoods has always been proud of our long-standing presence in Pulborough and Chichester and our contributions to the local communities.
As our manufacturer partners implement changes to streamline its dealer structure these closures reflect the necessity of adapting to the evolving market and retail. These decisions were not taken lightly, but they are essential for the future success of the business.”
Following these changes, Harwoods Group will now offer the following updated services across its portfolio:
New BYD showroom Crawley opened on the 7th of October in Manor Royal and will also be selling all-makes vehicles through Harwoods Assured.
New BYD dealership Coulsdon will open on the 11th of November on the former Land Rover Coulsdon site. Coulsdon will no longer offer Land Rover new and approved used car sales and will instead focus on BYD EVs and offer used all-makes vehicles through Harwoods Assured.
Chichester will continue as an Aston Martin full franchise, but will no longer offer new and approved used Jaguar car sales. The site will undergo a full refurbishment and will also serve as an authorised repairer for Jaguar and Land Rover as well as selling used vehicles through Harwoods Assured.
Basingstoke, Brighton and Crawley will become full new car sale points for Land Rover, including Jaguar and Land Rover approved used and authorised repair operations.
Land Rover Edenbridge will no longer offer new Land Rover sales but will continue to offer approved Land Rover used car sales and Land Rover authorised repair operations.
Bentley Sussex new car sales operations will be discontinued at Pulborough on the 30th of December 2024. Approved used car sales and authorised repairs will continue.
Land Rover Pulborough will fully close on the 10th of November 2024.