Taken from the Sunday Life website [link]
THE chief executive of Belfast car dealers Charles Hurst, has promised its customers it will continue to provide warranty cover for all MG Rover vehicles bought there.
Speaking to us from Manchester, Ken Surgenor issued the assurance, after the Boucher Road business received a large number of calls from customers concerned they would be affected if the ailing car giant is not saved.
The government is being urged to step up efforts to rekindle negotiations with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), to rescue the Longbridge plant, in Birmingham, and its 6,000 employees.
Administrators for MG Rover have said they will no longer honour warranties on showroom models, because of "insufficient funds".
But, Lookers plc, which owns Charles Hurst, says it feels it has an obligation to look after its customers, although it will receive no money from MG Rover to honour the warranty service.
Said Mr Surgenor: "We sold the cars, and we will stand by our customers, as we would like to retain them.
"It's a bitter pill for us to swallow, as it will cost us a lot of money.
"But, we hope that in the future they will be customers for other brands we stock."
He said Charles Hurst was continuing to take deliveries from the manufacturer.
"Although MG Rover has stopped building cars, it takes some time to get them through, so they will still be coming towards us.
"Sales have been excellent, as we have been offering great value for money."
Mr Surgenor, who is from Ballymena, said he did not foresee a problem with parts being supplied for MG Rover vehicles.
He expects his company's parts supplier to continue its work, and added that some of the parts were component with other cars.
An advertisement, taken out by Charles Hurst, says warranty cover will continue under the same terms and conditions as MG Rover's existing warranty, and will apply to vehicles purchased new directly from their dealership.
THE chief executive of Belfast car dealers Charles Hurst, has promised its customers it will continue to provide warranty cover for all MG Rover vehicles bought there.
Speaking to us from Manchester, Ken Surgenor issued the assurance, after the Boucher Road business received a large number of calls from customers concerned they would be affected if the ailing car giant is not saved.
The government is being urged to step up efforts to rekindle negotiations with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), to rescue the Longbridge plant, in Birmingham, and its 6,000 employees.
Administrators for MG Rover have said they will no longer honour warranties on showroom models, because of "insufficient funds".
But, Lookers plc, which owns Charles Hurst, says it feels it has an obligation to look after its customers, although it will receive no money from MG Rover to honour the warranty service.
Said Mr Surgenor: "We sold the cars, and we will stand by our customers, as we would like to retain them.
"It's a bitter pill for us to swallow, as it will cost us a lot of money.
"But, we hope that in the future they will be customers for other brands we stock."
He said Charles Hurst was continuing to take deliveries from the manufacturer.
"Although MG Rover has stopped building cars, it takes some time to get them through, so they will still be coming towards us.
"Sales have been excellent, as we have been offering great value for money."
Mr Surgenor, who is from Ballymena, said he did not foresee a problem with parts being supplied for MG Rover vehicles.
He expects his company's parts supplier to continue its work, and added that some of the parts were component with other cars.
An advertisement, taken out by Charles Hurst, says warranty cover will continue under the same terms and conditions as MG Rover's existing warranty, and will apply to vehicles purchased new directly from their dealership.
