UK car dealership issues update to customers as it closes today | UK | News
An iconic UK car dealership has closed its doors for the final time, laying off hundreds of staff. Cargiant will close its retail operation in the coming weeks to sell the remainder of its stock at its 46-acre site in West London. It was reported that the dealership, which has been operating for approximately 50 years, employs approximately 500 people. Many were laid off as a result of today’s shutdown.
Last year, it was announced that the business or the entire estate, worth around £98.8 million, was being considered for sale in 2025. But in an announcement two weeks ago, Cargiant said the “business in its current form is no longer commercially sustainable.” He listed a number of reasons why this might be the case, including the EV mandate, rising operating costs and complexities in the used car market. It was once the largest second-hand car dealer in the world and the most profitable in the UK.
A Cargiant spokesperson said: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our employees, customers, partners and suppliers, past and present, for their dedication and support over many years.
“Our after-sales operation, including the office support team, will continue following the closure of the retail operation to support customers and ensure that existing commitments are appropriately met.”
At its peak, the company had sales of more than 5,000 used cars. It gained fame among car enthusiasts around the world by entering the Guinness Book of World Records as the “largest car dealership in the world” in 2007.
It is estimated that the land where the dealership is located will be sold for redevelopment.
It has a rating of 3.9 out of 5 on Google, based on over 10,000 customer reviews. One person recently wrote: “I visited Car Giant about two weeks ago and honestly everything was great. The whole experience was flawless, from the wide range of vehicles to the extremely helpful and professional staff. The process was smooth, quick and stress-free. I was really impressed with how well organized everything was. Definitely the best place in London if you’re looking to buy a second-hand car!”
Another shared: “There’s a huge range of cars available and there’s something for almost every budget. Great range and service is extremely good. You can be driving away within 24 hours. If you don’t already have insurance, it’s great to have drive away insurance to get you home too.”
Cargiant was founded 50 years ago by billionaire Geoffrey Warren. A core staff was retained to handle after-sales operations before the business was closed.
