Fownhope Mitsubishi makes switch to Ssangyong with new showroom opening

Fownhope Mitsubishi has made the switch to SsangYong Motors UK for new car sales with the opening of a new franchised car dealership in Hereford.

The dealership, rebranded as SsangYong Hereford, is located at Kings Acre Road, Hereford, and is a family run-business and boasts 30 years’ experience in automotive.

Kevin Griffin, managing director at SsangYong Motors UK, said: “The SsangYong brand has undergone dramatic transformation over the past few years with the implementation of a new growth strategy and the introduction of new and more exciting products, whilst maintaining a firm focus on the expansion of our dealer network.

“We are delighted to welcome SsangYong Hereford and its wealth of experience to the franchise.”

Fownhope Mitsubishi's franchise switch follows Mitsubishi Motor UK's announcement, exclusively reported by AM last year, that it will transition to an aftersales-only operation from the end of this year.

Last year, Red Rose Mitsubishi added a SsangYong Motors UK car retail franchise to its dealership site in north Birmingham.

The appointment underlines an expansion of the SsangYong Motors UK’s dealer portfolio which has defied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent months.

Dealership openings in Shrewsbury and the Wirral in August 2020 resulted from new relationships with Hawkins Motors and BVH Car Sales and came after the appointment of a Fine Cars’ showroom in Gosport, ahead of the COVID-19 crisis in March, and used car specialist Parkhills Car Centre, in Bury, during July 2020. 

Also in August 2020, SsangYong Motors UK confirmed plans to move into a new headquarters offering “capacity to operate its national next day parts supply service to its franchised dealers”.

The new Hereford service centre provides manufacturer-approved repairs, maintenance, and genuine SsangYong parts, as well as offering MOTs, aftercare support and service plans.

Dave Peachey, owner and dealer principal at SsangYong Hereford, said; “We are delighted to join the SsangYong family and we are looking forward to growing our brand. The future looks bright and we can’t wait to continue serving and supporting our community.”