Mercedes-Benz customers have been advised to buy their next car online or travel up to 110 miles to another dealership after Marshall Motor Group revealed it will stop selling cars at its South Lakes franchise.

The North West Evening Mail reported that the Constellation Automotive-owned AM100 otomobil perakende grubu’s premium car dealership would no longer sell the premium German carmaker’s new cars – ending its sales operations by the end of the year.

A message to customers confirmed that the AM Awards 2022’s Franchised Workshop of the Year would continue to offer approved aftersales but directed potential car buyers to the Mercedes-Benz website or to dealerships up to 110 miles away, in Bolton or Preston.

Sytner’s Mercedes-Benz Carlisle dealership is actually the nearest, however it remains over 80 miles away.

Speaking to the North West Evening Mail, Ulverston councillor Shirley-Anne Wilson said the end of new car sales at Mercedes-Benz South Lakes was “very disappointing news for Ulverston”, adding: “I would urge and encourage people to buy local rather than online.”

Back in May Mercedes-Benz revealed a plan to axe up to 20% of its German franchised dealerships and 10% of its global network by 2025 as part of its 2023 shift to a direct, agency model retail model.

Included in strategic announcements made in the German premium brand’s recent Capital Markets Day announcement was news that it aims to transact 80% of European car sales via an agency model and 25% online within three years.

In June, the German manufacturer was among OEMs to publicly back Marshall’s new owners – BCA, cinch and WeBuyAnyCar owner Constellation Group – after it acquired and re-privatised the former PLC this year.

Responding to suggestions that the change of ownership could prompt certain franchise partners to part ways with the group, Mercedes-Benz UK chief executive Gary Savage told AM: “While we have a policy of not commenting on the specifics of contracts in place between us and our partners, it is always at our discretion whether or not we wish to exercise our termination rights.

“In relation to Constellation, Mercedes-Benz Cars is delighted to be working with their new leadership team since the acquisition of Marshall Motor Group. We are aligned with Constellation and encouraged to see the direction in which they plan to take the Mercedes-Benz partnership.”