Franchisees from Stellantis’ UK dealership networks have told AM of their support of the car manufacturing giant’s plan to delay the roll-out of its agency model agreements by six months.

A memo said to have been issued by DS Automobiles brand director Jules Tilstone first indicated that the planned roll-out of the new era of agency model retail due to start in July next year will now be delayed until January 1, 2024.

And a spokesperson for Stellantis UK later confimed the new timeline to AM.

Franchisees representing Alfa Romeo, DS Automobiles and all commercial brands in the UK are set to be affected by the first phase of the agency model roll-out, which many expect will result in payment of a handling fee of around 5% to retail partners.

'The right move'