Citroen UK has issued two year termination notices to all its 640 sales and service centres and parts distributors this week.

The manufacturer says the move is part of an ambitious sales growth and enhanced customer care strategy – plus the need to safeguard profitability.

Fewer dealers, doing a better job, making more money is the stated aim of sales director Simon Monahan.

Of Citroen’s 200 sales outlets, the majority will be unaffected.

But 20 have been told the carmaker is minded to end their contracts, unless in the two years they improve their customer care and/or sales performance against targets in 2009 and 2010.

Another 20 has been told the territory they represent is no longer viable. These will typically be the smaller centres where there is a city-based centre which will expand its reach.