Car maker Ford has announced a plan to close over 40% of its UK franchised car retail sites. The strategy forms part of a Ford 2025 dealer plan which has been presented to investors. It is thought that between 160 and 180 dealerships will be closed as new car sales outlets. 

The Ford plan comes as Vauxhall is in the process of completing a programme that will see one-in-three of its sites close, while Honda UK also plans to axe over a third of its network.

Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, Andy Barratt said that the company hoped to retain a local and personalised aftersales service for customers, with the majority of dealers no longer selling new Fords staying on as aftersales centres, with an option to sell used vehicles.

The shrinking of the network is due to poor return on sales figures produced by the network of some 400 dealers. Ford will now place more emphasis on its CV sales and on addressing automotive trends in electrification, connectivity, car-sharing and online sales.