Volvo Ends Brindley Partnership in Wolverhampton Following Showroom Dispute

Immediate Franchise Termination Shocks Dealer Group

Car dealership group Brindley has been issued with an immediate termination notice from Volvo after a row erupted over the use of a temporary showroom. The sudden move has left customers uncertain about their orders and service arrangements, marking an abrupt end to a relationship that began in 2009.

The Volvo dealership in Wolverhampton had already been working out its two year notice period, issued in 2024, after Volvo decided to end the agreement. The car dealer group says it had already been issued with a ‘two year notice period’ from the Swedish car maker because it ‘refused’ to sell its dealership to the brand’s preferred bidder.

Temporary Showroom Triggers Dispute

The immediate termination appears to have been precipitated by Brindley’s operational decisions. The site in Wolverhampton was being readied for use by Chery, a new partner for the group, and during this time it decided to move its Volvo operations into ‘temporary accommodation’. Brindley said that operating a franchise from temporary accommodation is standard practice whenever major building work is undertaken, even when no franchise change is involved, but ‘Volvo have taken exception to this arrangement and have issued an immediate termination’.

The termination may or may not have been related to this, but the group had consistently met all Volvo targets, ranked highly on their balanced scorecard, and no other reason was provided, according to chairman Che Watson.

Impact on Customers and Future Operations

As a result the dealer can no longer carry out warranty and Volvo service plan work, or deliver any new car orders. To support affected customers, Brindley has offered an alternative solution. Chairman Watson said he is happy to offer any alternative car in the group’s portfolio at cost price.

The group currently represents Genesis, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mazda, XPENG, Changan, MG, Jaecoo, Omoda and Maxus. A spokesperson for Volvo confirmed that Brindley Wolverhampton was ‘no longer part of the Volvo network’ and thanked the Brindley team for their contribution over the years. This termination highlights the delicate balance between dealer autonomy and manufacturer expectations in the UK automotive retail sector.