Uncertainty at Hyundai Richmond forces Ken Brown Motors to quit franchise

Poor access due to roadworks and a futile search for a new home for Hyundai Richmond have conspired to force Ken Brown Motors to ditch both of its Richmond and Letchworth franchise points for the Korean brand.

Ken Brown Motors which has held the Hyundai franchise in Richmond since 2018 and Letchworth (pictured above) since 2019, had been waiting for its contract to be renewed by Hyundai since May.

“However,” the business said, “compounded by a fruitless search for a new site and a year of major roadworks outside the Richmond dealership limiting footfall and staff access, the situation of uncertainty renders the site no longer viable.”

The closure of Richmond had an immediate knock-on impact on the Letchworth dealership, as Hyundai only works with multi-site operators.

“Without the written renewal agreement, it has meant it is not viable to continue to run both sites and they will close 22 July,” the business stated.

Jon Taylor, managing director of Ken Brown Motors said: “We’ve had a good relationship with Hyundai and they’ve been very supportive during the road closure. However, the uncertainty at both sites means that it is no longer viable for us. We continue an excellent partnership with (Hyundai subsidiary) Kia in Stevenage and Harlow and will seek new opportunities to fill the gap.”

“A massive thank you goes to the staff, some of whom I have worked with for over 20 years, I have a huge appreciation for the job they have done and the support they have given.”

Ken Brown Motors was established in Stevenage in 1968, initially providing used cars, MOT testing and repairs. 

It became a franchised dealer with Mitsubishi in 1980, changing to Lada in 1982 before  acquiring the Lada and Proton site in Harlow in 1989,

Ken Brown Motors then added the Kia franchise in Harlow and Stevenage in 1994 and under Jon Taylor’s leadership expanded to Richmond and Letchworth Hyundai in 2018 and 2019.

The business opened its Hyundai dealership in Letchworth in 2020 when it secured a 10 year lease on the 0.78 acre site in Icknield Way, following the departure of its previous occupant Progress Suzuki.