Local business named Dealer Group of the Year

Sean Brierley, Managing Director, EMAP, publisher of Motor Trader; David Smyth, Swansway; Alexander Armstrong, MC for the night

Swansway Motor Group, which owns and operates Motor Match Rochdale, is proving that local, independent and family-owned businesses can not only survive, but thrive, as they took home the motor industry Oscar for the Best Dealer Group in the UK 2019.

At the awards, held in London by industry bible, Motor Trader placed Swansway Motor Group at the top of the UK’s motor groups and director, David Smyth, was delighted.

David said: “Our Accident Repair Centre had been shortlisted for the Bodyshop of the Year and Swansway Jaguar had also been shortlisted for the New Dealership of the Year Award.

“The bodyshop won Highly Commended and then, coming as a total surprise, Swansway Motor Group was named Dealer Group of the Year. We are thrilled, because this award has been won by all 1,300 of our Swansway family team, it shows that we’re doing a great job and we’re absolutely delighted.”

The Motor Trader judges commended Swansway on its climb up the Motor Trader 200 dealer group rankings, from 115th when it was founded in 2003 to 16th in 2018.

The judges said: “All this growth has been achieved thanks to a strong balance sheet, bolstered by retained profits, and while Swansway clearly recognises that financial considerations are crucial to success, the group is clearly very customer-focused with an impressive list of awards for customer service to its name.”

Swansway was founded in 2003 and continues to be family-owned and run, representing 14 brands from 20 locations.