SsangYong Motors UK moves to ‘next phase’ with new headquarters

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

Kevin Griffin, managing director at SsangYong Motors UK, said that the move came as the Korean brand embarks on the “next phase of development”, including its investment in pure electric vehicles (EVs).

“We can also operate our national parts delivery service to our franchised dealers from the same site and be closer to our import centre at the Royal Portbury Docks in Bristol – which was a big consideration for us,” added Griffin.

Ssangyong – imported to the UK by Bassadone Automotive – will move from its current site in Luton, Bedfordshire, to a new facility at Europa Business Park, Parsonage Rd, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon.

A statement issued by the business said that the new head office will provide SsangYong Motors with “a modern and flexible working environment” with sufficient parking for employees and visitors, along with “capacity to operate its national next day parts supply” service for franchisees.

The motor company has signed an agreement to lease with Howard Tenens, the owners of Europa Industrial Park in the Stratton St Margaret area of Swindon, with immediate effect.

Year to date, Ssangyong Motors UK is outpacing the UK’s COVID-19 impacted new car market, with sales down by 28.2% at 841, according to July new car registrations data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this week.

A fortnight ago the brand confirmed that used car specialist Parkhills Car Centre had become the latest addition to its growing franchised car retail network – adding a dealership in Bury.

The new retail point, on Manchester Road, Bury, is the brand's second new addition of the year, following the opening of Fine Cars’ showroom in Gosport back in March.

Last year was described by Ssangyong Motor UK as a period of “dramatic transformation” for its retail network.

It added 10 new dealership partners in the first half of the year.

In an interview with AM at the time, former managing director Nick Laird, said: “This brand has undergone dramatic transformation over the past year with the implementation of a new growth strategy, the introduction of new, more exciting products, and, with the expected future development we have in mind, the focus on the expansion of our dealer network is of paramount importance to our customers – both existing and prospect.

“At the moment, some of our prospect customers, people who are genuinely interested in our brand and products, tell us that their nearest dealer is too far away from them, and more often than not, it is.

“Our focus on filling open points will help us and our dealers to generate more awareness for SsangYong, give buyers more confidence in the brand and sell more cars.”