Independent Porsche rep-airer JZ Machtech opens its used car centre in May, two months later than planned.

Jonas Zambakides, JZ Machtech director and chair of the Independent Garages Association, said he had been reassessing the operation to make sure it could withstand the recession.

“Volume is down on average so we needed to make sure we could function and be robust enough to be able to handle any possible downturns,” he said.

A tuning product display area, wash bay and storage area have been postponed at the 10,000sq-ft site, saving £60,000, but will be implemented at a later stage.

The £1.5 million showroom at the existing industrial site on Langley Wharf in Kings Langley, near Hemel Hempstead, has taken on three staff – two administrative roles and a salesperson.

However, four people have recently left the servicing business as a result of getting rid of three ramps, which are now available to other businesses. Zambakides said it was proving hard to find anybody to fill the space currently, but the downsize had improved efficiency.

The site will house around 20-25 cars and early targets will be about six sales per month.

“We have made sure that such a number is viable as a business,” said Zambakides.

Longer-term goals might be around 15-20 cars a month.
JZ Machtech will also offer a warranty scheme, as many owners are not happy with Porsche’s own warranty offering, and a free first-year service.

“Customers aren’t being forced to come back, but if there’s a free service, why not?” added Zambakides.

Marketing will be through Porsche forums (“big business in the Porsche world”), Porsche Club and magazine, local press and JZ Machtech’s own official Porsche club, which emails information monthly to 2,500 members.