News / JB’s to stop selling Kia cars
A WELL known Lerwick car dealer is to cease selling KIA vehicles and plans instead to focus on expanding its auto parts business.
J Burgess has been selling KIA cars from its Holmsgarth Road base for 25 years but the company is unable to accommodate the South Korean manufacturer’s wish to extend the range of models to include hybrids and electric cars.
The decision means the company will stop selling new and used vehicles from the end of this month, although the workshops will continue to offer servicing and warranty work for the foreseeable future.
Colin Burgess, whose father started the car business in 1966, said the decision to end the car dealership had been made with a “heavy heart”.
“My family have been in the car business for a long time in Shetland but sometimes things have to change. We are very sad to be closing down the car sales side of the business, but plan to focus on our expanding Autostore moving forward,” he said.
“We were one of the first KIA dealers in the country and it has been a popular brand in Shetland with a loyal customer base.
“But they are about to extend their brand with a number of new models including hybrids and electric cars. This would have involved a major expansion and we simply do not have the space to accommodate their needs.”
The workshop side of the business will continue for the foreseeable future and the company will continue to repair and service all cars, including KIAs.
The announcement was made on Monday to the 13 staff employed.
Burgess added that the arrangement with KIA would only formally end in two years, but added: “We would hope KIA would find somebody else in Shetland to take on the dealership and, if that happens, we would be happy to help them in any way possible.”
Once the dealership has ended, the premises will be refitted to provide improved facilities for the autoparts business.
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