A Northern Ireland car dealer with over 100 year’s history is the latest to join the MG Motor UK franchise.

A Northern Ireland car dealer with over 100 year’s history is the latest to join the MG Motor UK franchise.

T.M. Martin & Son is a well-known dealership in Killyleagh, County Down with years of history. Back in 1907, the family-run business was first established as a cycle manufacturer. 

Since then, the business has been loyal to selling Longbridge-built vehicles; so it seemed fitting for the family to bring in the latest range of MGs.

John Martin, Dealer Principal of T.M. Martin & Son, said: “We’ve had an association with cars built in Longbridge for many years, so to keep the tradition going we wanted to get MG into our showroom again after all this time.

“I’ve been working for the family business since 1961; which at the time made up three generations in the business. We have always prided ourselves on giving our customers the best customer service, for which we have been awarded Masters of Quality many times, and we look forward to extending this out to our new customers.”

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “We are really pleased to welcome T.M. Martin & Son to the network; it’s great to welcome onboard a dealer with such a rich history.

“With this dealer becoming our third in Northern Ireland, we’re glad to see our presence is growing in this area and we hope to do the same with others areas in the UK.”

Another dealership opens up for MG, this one is in the south, and located in Plymouth.

MG Motor UK is pleased to announce SMC Plymouth is the latest, and sixth MG dealer in the south west, to join the network.

SMC Group is a family-owned business that has been around since the early 1990s. In 2004, the company took over a property in Plymouth and used it to operate the SEAT franchise.

Nick Mitchell, Dealer Principal, has been hoping to put MG in the SMC showroom for a while now, so the staff are all excited to see the cars arrive.

Nick said: “We think MG, as a brand, has great values and real familiarity with it, so we can’t wait to get the cars in and show them off to our existing customers as well as new ones. MG has an iconic badge and a fantastic British angle; something we are really proud to be associated with.

“We’re pleased to say that we’ve already sold an MG3. As soon as this customer found out we were getting MGs, they put their order in! We are sure that other customers will feel the same when they see these great cars.”

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome SMC Plymouth on-board and we’re very much looking forward to working with them. To now have six dealers in the south west is great, as it means we are filling in the gaps on the map and making it easier for our customers to find their local MG dealer.

“We are looking forward to welcoming many more in the coming months, and working together, as we build up towards an exciting summer with the arrival of our highly anticipated SUV.”

MG looks forward, with an all new SUV due soon, they are scouting for more dealers to keep the growth coming.

MG Motor UK is calling for dealers to join its expanding network at a time when it’s celebrating a 35% growth and looking ahead to an exciting year.

The car manufacturer thanks its customers, and existing dealers, for the continued support that led to a great end to 2015 and the most successful year since MG was re-born.

This year, MG will be working hard to see this growth continue and it is calling for hardworking, forward-thinking, dealers to join the network and help deliver this.

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “We’ve got a product development plan for each year until 2020, so it’s an exciting time to consider joining us.

“We want to see our network grow, as we know we’ve still got gaps to fill. We often get asked, by customers and members of the public, when we’ll be announcing dealers in specific areas. We’re looking to be able to do that by welcoming new dealers who want to not only join in, but really contribute to the success of the brand.

“We’re currently looking to fill open points around Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton, amongst many other areas, so if you’re a dealer and you want to talk about us working with a car manufacturer that is far from dictatorial then please get in touch. We want our dealers to succeed so, ultimately, we can sell cars. We aim to support our dealers from the very beginning in order to do this.”

If you are interested in becoming part of MG’s dealer network, contact Network Development Managers Sue Kent (sue.kent@mgmotor.co.uk) or Brian Hawkins (brian.hawkins@mgmotor.co.uk) for more information.

Mg looks back on the best year to date, and an even better 2016 with new models and great offers.

As another year draws to a close, MG Motor UK takes a moment to reflect on what 2015 has brought and what 2016 is yet to bring. This year has seen another significant step in the growth of MG, with the launch of the new MG6, a rise in MG3 sales and new additions to the dealer network.

At the beginning of the year, the manufacturer celebrated a record first quarter when sales boomed and made it the best since the new MG company was formed. This saw the 2014 achievement of ‘fastest growing automotive brand in Britain’ carry over into 2015. Throughout the year, sales have continued to grow and MG reached 3,000 registrations this month.

One of the reasons behind the expansion is the growth of the dealer network. A number of locations, across the UK, were identified as open-points at the beginning of the year and these are becoming filled as more and more dealers join the network. MG was pleased to welcome the following new dealers this year: Central Garage Galashiels; Cumbria MG; Normandy Garage; Roadworthy Bristol; Teeside MG; Frasers MG; DRM Motors; Budgen MG; Blights MG; Nathaniel Cars; NT Shaw of Louth; Mellons MG; and the most recent Northgate MG.

Another key addition to the network was the opening of the flagship showroom in Piccadilly. This showroom, which officially opened in July, was a significant move for MG. Placing the flagship store in the heart of London shows a commitment that the brand is here to stay. The showroom has already welcomed thousands of people through the doors, all eager to find out what is going on with the brand.

Some news MG has been able to share with them is how it has been recognised in national surveys and awards. In April, the Auto Express Driver Power Survey saw the MG3 riding high after customers voted it the tenth best car to own; placing MG in the top 10, out of 200 cars, for the second year running.

In September, the MG6 S scooped the ‘Under £17,500’ class winner award at the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year event. The MG6 was praised for its ‘more-than-capable’ towing performance and impressive boot space.

Customers, who chose to buy an award winning MG this year, will no doubt have benefitted from the great deals that have been running throughout the year; such as the hugely popular 0% finance deal and the minimum £2,000 part-exchange offer.

More deals like these will be sure to continue on into the New Year, when new models will arrive. The 2016 MG3, which was launched in November, will carry over into the new year along with the highly-anticipated SUV; which is due to launch next spring. This new model is an exciting time for MG and will further demonstrate that the manufacturer is here to stay.

Two other announcements MG made in 2015 support this. In March 2016, MG Triple Eight Racing will once again join forces to race it out in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for another three seasons, and in June, MG will be displaying its model range at the London Motor Show in Battersea Park.

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “MG has come a long way in the last 12 months and we are showing a number of commitments to the brand being here to stay.

“Looking ahead to 2016, we know that it will be another exciting year. We have many reasons to be excited, particularly the arrival of our new model. We want to thank our loyal customers for their support, and we look forward to welcoming new ones to MG next year.”

Just in time for Christmas, MG Motor UK is pleased to be adding a new dealer to its growing network.

Northgate Garage Group, in Canterbury, which has been an established family-run business since 1968, will be officially joining the MG network next week. Owner Peter Hinkins decided that their city centre site would benefit from being part of the MG franchise.

Peter said: “We were looking to add another franchise to the dealership and we chose to go with MG for a number of reasons, but mainly because we think that the brand has got a real future to look forward to.

“We are very fortunate to be only one of two garages in the city centre. We see the MG3 as being a perfect car for the demographic and we are sure that it, and the MG6, will sell very well.”

Peter and his team are confident that having a company as big as SAIC behind MG will see the brand continue to grow.

Peter added: “We’ve got our selection of MGs all ready to go for next week, and it’s great to see them in place. We can’t wait to add the SUV to the collection next year and, with 80% of our sales being retail, we know our loyal customers will be excited to see our new additions; we also hope they’ll draw in new customers too.

“We’re really delighted and proud to have MG onboard and look forward to a long association with the brand.”

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “To add another great dealer to our network is fantastic and seeing an open-point being filled is the perfect way to end the year.

“Next year, we’re looking to build upon this by welcoming even more dealers and ensuring we have MG presence in a number of key locations across the UK. We’re always keen to hear from any dealers that are interested in joining the network to work with us in growing MG even more, and with the arrival of the SUV next year it couldn’t be a better time.”

MG say "#MGTHANKS" as the staff thanks owners, Old, new and future for their continued support.

In light of the latest new car registration figures being released, MG Motor UK is taking this opportunity to thank past, present and future customers for supporting the company and giving it its best June to date.

Figures, released yesterday (6 June) from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT), highlighted another successful half year for MG.

MG felt it was important to take the time to thank customers for their support and for putting faith in a brand that is continuing to grow because of them. In a series of videos, employees from across the company, from the designers to those who test the vehicles on the bumpy road route, will be taking the chance to thank customers for their backing.

MG Motor UK has registered 21 more cars in the last six months than in the whole of 2011, 2012 and 2013 combined. More than 100 of which are the newly launched MG6. Figures for June alone are up by 19 per cent from last year, and the year-to-date figures are 39 per cent more than in 2014.

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “We’re so grateful for the support our customers give. Without them, we wouldn’t be making the progress we are. Each month we’re watching our sales figures improve and it is fantastic to see.

“Every time a customer drives off in their new MG, we obviously say thanks and wish them all the best; however, those who don’t get a chance to meet the customers, but play a fundamental part in producing their new car, also want to have the opportunity to give their thanks.”

The first video as part of the campaign ‘#MGthanks’ comes from David, who works in the exterior design team.

Head to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYTGH0y4_tw to watch the video. We want to hear from you too, so if you want to say thanks, upload your message with #MGthanks to our Facebook or Twitter page.

65th MG Sales Dealership opens for business in Penrith, the MG Growth continues apace.

Ullswater Road Garage in Penrith becomes the 65th MG sales dealership in the UK and owner Mark Windle is determined to make it the best. And looking at his track record, there would be few who would doubt him!

Mark Windle opened the family business when he was still in his teens. He started as a body repairer but soon spotted a gap in the market for a specialist 24-hour breakdown recovery operation as the M6 in Cumbria began to get busier and busier.

Now 35 years on, Mark is the company's Managing Director. He said: "With the recovery business going flat out we started to branch out and bought land to expand our operations. We now have a business site covering four acres just off the M6 in Penrith and we have another site 27 miles down the motorway in Kendal."

As well as car showrooms and work bays, the Penrith site houses the Cumbria Mini Centre, selling Minis and customised parts; retail units, a car hire business and the breakdown operation as well as a leased out restaurant, petrol forecourt and convenience store.

Ullswater Road Garage now employs 40 people and the MG business has created a new post – the firm is now searching for an MG sales specialist and Mark has plans to expand the MG business further.

They have already invested in a new dedicated showroom at their Ullswater Road site and have planned a summer programme of events, starting on Saturday by taking new MGs to the Skelton Horticultural Show.

Mark said:  "As soon as people knew we had won the MG franchise we started to get enquiries, and that was before we had cars or MG signage. So it just shows you the huge support and passion there is for MG.

"We know the latest MGs will be a success because both MG3 and the new MG6 offer such great value-for-money. Everyone in our business has been impressed, so we know our customers will be too."

We have a great team here and I know our new MG business will just make us stronger and better. Working with such a fantastically strong brand as MG is going to be great fun and good for business for us and our customers.

Matthew Cheyne, MG's Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “Mark's drive and ambition is matched by ours and we welcome Ullswater Road Garage to our rapidly expanding dealer network.

"Last year MG was the fastest growing brand in Britain and our sales, so far this year, are way ahead of last year. As more people take test drives, they realise what great products we have with the MG3 and the new MG6."

MG's 33rd dealership opens within the last 18 months to continue the push for sales in the UK.

MG’s latest new dealer appointment fills one of the top ‘open points’ in an on-going major extension of the brand’s franchise network. Roadworthy Bristol is the 33^rd new MG dealer to be appointed within the past 18-months and almost completes the brand’s dealer map in the south west of England.

The new dealer, which is in one of MG’s top 15 open points, plans to go fully live within the next few weeks, but already has new MG6 and MG3 models in stock and available to view.

MG has the fastest growing dealer network in the UK and it is planned to increase the current number of 64 dealers to around 80 by the end of the year. The expansion of the network is reflected in a huge increase in sales of MG cars.

Last year MG saw the greatest growth in sales of any car company in Britain. Latest data issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the trade body that issues official registration figures, shows that MG sales so far this year are 42.46 per cent ahead of the same period last year.

  

Roadworthy, a long-established family-run business, is now searching for a new specialist MG Sales Executive and more new jobs could be created in the future as the MG business grows.

Steve Hoare, the firm’s Managing Director, is a fully trained technician who started as an apprentice working on MGs, Rovers and Triumph before setting up Roadworthy 32 years ago. He still has fond memories of servicing MGBs and Midgets.

Steve’s brother, Chris, later joined the business and is the After Sales Director. Steve’s wife, Alison, and sister-in-law, Debbie, also work in the firm.

The company now has a staff of 18 and is based in Fishponds Road, Fishponds in north east Bristol, close to the M32. Roadworthy’s territory will cover the whole of Bristol and the surrounding towns and villages, including Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead, Kingswood and Portbury.

Steve said: “We haven’t got our MG signage up yet but we are already getting enquiries and interest from people who have spotted our new MG6 and MG3 models and are keen to find out more.

“I can understand their enthusiasm because the latest generation of MGs are just fantastic. They offer the best value-for-money of any car on the market and MGs just stand out from the crowd. It’s great to be associated with a brand that has created so much interest and everybody is talking about.”

Chris added: “MG is such a well respected brand and there is an underlying feeling of goodwill towards it. I can see MG doing really well here in Bristol. It’s fired us with a passion to make MG great again.”  

MG continues to search for more dealers throughout the country to join the franchise. Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Marketing, said: “Roadworthy Bristol is a very welcome addition to our fast-growing network and Bristol was very high on our priority of key open points.

“But we are still seeking new dealers in cities and towns across the country including Nottingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Swansea, Lisburn, Liverpool, Aberdeen, Southampton and Worcester.”