London taxi manufacturer Manganese Bronze to scrap dealer network

The company announced the change to its UK franchise network saying it had issued 12 month's notice to end its contracts with all independent main dealers and would now concentrate on developing a direct sales operation, with an improved aftersales network. Given the current economic environment and the continuing evolution of the UK taxi market, it believed it was important to make the change to ensure it could "continue to offer the value for money propositions on new and used taxis". At the same time Manganese Bronze plans to boost to its service dealer network to improve the quality of aftersales care given to customers. Chief executive John Russell (pictured) said: "These changes are designed to ensure drivers throughout Britain have easy access to new and used LTI products along with excellent aftersales care provided by a local service dealer who is trained and equipped to maintain our vehicles to the high standards our customers deserve. Following our successful £10m fundraising in June, we will be investing in further direct sales sites in order to deliver on this promise". It has not been an easy decision to serve notice on our independent main dealers, but it is important that we have a structure and approach that enables us to thrive in the years ahead to the benefit of our customers. We are extremely grateful to the independent main dealers for their support in the past, and hope they will consider becoming service dealers in the future".