AM100 Benfield Motor Group, has received a new award as the top-privately owned business in the north east in the NCJ Media Top 200 listed businesses.

Based in Newcastle and established in 1950’s, the £300 million turnover group now has 30 dealerships throughout the north east, Yorkshire, Cumbria and south-west Scotland and represents brands including Nissan, Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford, Alfa Romeo, Renault, Honda, Lexus, Hyundai, Kia and Skoda.

Nigel McMinn, managing director, Benfield Motor Group, said: “This is a fantastic honour to be the first winners of this prestigious business award and I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive this award on behalf of Benfield and all our hard working staff.

“We are a family owned business with family values who have continued to grow and expand in our North East heartland and surrounding regions.

“It is very pleasing during these economic times, especially in the motor industry, that we have risen to the difficult financial challenges and Benfield has continued to increase its turnover, expand our retail outlets and increase cars sales.”

The Top 200 league is commissioned by the Journal, compiled by Durham Business School and sponsored by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Benfield employs 1,100 staff and also appears in Britain’s Profit Track 100 league table and recently unveiled an new brand identity and its biggest ever TV and marketing campaign.