My Motability has promptly replied to my email, nothing is going to happen for the next 2 years plus there will be 10 years of support.
Not being funny, but they would say that wouldn’t they?
I believe there is an agreement that when vehicle manufacturers withdraw from a territory, that they have to maintain servicing and repairs for a number of years after withdrawal. Mainly to deal with warranty issues, parts supply and future product recalls. However, the actual number of such servicing/repair/parts workshops will no doubt decrease over time as there will be no ‘new’ stock coming through the doors to keep the workshops busy and thus profitable.
As for new car sales, if a manufacturer pulls out of a market, a sole franchise dealership will be looking to take on a different franchise asap, for fear of being left with an empty new car showroom. Or alternatively pull the plug completely and close the doors when the supply of new cars dries up.
The public in general may also be somewhat reticent to buy a brand-new car from an obsolescent manufacturer’s dealership about to lose the franchise or close completely. Notwithstanding the servicing/recall arrangements, it does not bode well generally and drives sales even lower.
Multi-franchise dealerships could probably withstand the pull out of what is a comparatively small manufacturer and either expand space for their other franchises or take on a new franchise.
What will be a loss though (particularly for the people not yet ready to jump on the ‘fully Duracell’ bandwagon) is it will be one less manufacturer offering PHEV’s on the scheme.