Audi (UK)
AUDI AG German automobile manufacturer extends back to the 19th century and are one of the most highly respected manufacturers in the German car market today. Audi are one of the leaders in prestige car market with their designs, engineers and luxury vehicles. Being a member of the Volkswagen Group, Audi-branded vehicles are produced in nine production facilities worldwide.
The Audi quattro was famously the first four-wheel drive car and was a massive success on the world’s rally stages. Today Audi’s Innovations are based on research and development through cooperation with academic institutions. AUDI AG combines scientific theory and modern research with business practice, thus ensuring the transfer of groundbreaking ideas to the company.
BMW Group
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, known under its abbreviation BMW, is a German luxury vehicle, motorcycle, and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It all started with aircraft engines, followed by motorcycles and finally automobiles – which have been setting milestones in motorsport from the very beginning.
BMW offers todays car drivers a strong range of class-leading cars and services thanks to highly specified models and comprehensive options, combined with low running costs as a result of fuel and emissions-saving technology.
Citroën UK
Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer and part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group since 1976, founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën.
Since 1919, the Citroën brand has shown boldness and an unfailing human attachment. Almost 100 years' of heritage, and more than 300 models, some of which have forever marked the automotive industry, like the 2CV.
The iconic 2CV was born from specifications, mentioning "to make a car that can carry four people and 50kg of potatoes or a keg, at a maximum speed of 60 km/h, with a consumption of 3 litres per hundred kilometres and low maintenance costs." Production started in June 1949.
Fiat Auto UK
Fiat - Designing cars to build the future. And building cars to design the future.
Starting back in 1899 with the 3½ HP, of which only 24 examples were manufactured by a total of 150 workers in the Turin factory. The enthusiasm that guided those early visionaries generated a company that inherited their passion, know-how and experience, with Fiat going on to build 7 factories, participate in 6 joint ventures and employ over 50,000 people.
Today Fiat can boast many highly prestigious results: 9 cars elected Car of the Year, partnerships with over 400 universities, an 11% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 15% increase in the use of renewable energy.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Ford Motor Company
Henry Ford realised his dream of producing an automobile that was reasonably priced, reliable, and efficient with the introduction of the Model T in 1908. Henry Ford's aim was to "put the world on wheels" and produce an affordable vehicle for the general public.
Today, Ford offers a vehicle for every lifestyle, whilst featuring in the World's Most Ethical Companies by the renowned Ethisphere Institute continually for 8 years.
Ford is also the first automaker to join the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition – a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving social, environmental and ethical conditions in their members’ global supply chains.
Honda (UK)
Dreams enlighten and challenge us and inspired Soichiro Honda to create a company.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd was established with co-founders Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. In 1949, Honda launches its first original designed and engineered product which Mr. Honda appropriately names the “Dream” D-type motorcycle.
At Honda, The Power of Dreams drives us to create intelligent products that enhance mobility and increase the joy in people’s lives.
What will transportation look like in 2088? Honda associates are currently imagining the answers to this question, working to create tomorrow’s smarter, more mobile world.
Hyundai Car (UK)
The Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967 and, along with its 32.8% owned subsidiary, Kia Motors, and its 100% owned luxury subsidiary Genesis Motors which together comprise the Hyundai Motor Group. It is the third largest vehicle manufacturer in the world. In the UK Hyundai has replaced its entire line-up of 14 cars with all-new improved models, in just four years.
Hyundai build modern plants with advanced technologies and waste-management systems to ensure exceptionally high levels of quality, while keeping impact on the environment to a minimum. With Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Electric vehicles available Hyundai challenge themselves to discover and apply new concepts that can stimulate the development of new automotive technologies.
Jaguar Cars
Some brands simply capture the imagination. A mention of their name alone and people are excited and inspired by the timeless achievements of the past and present, and the promise of the future. Jaguar is such a brand - founded in 1922.
Quintessentially British, (but part of the Tata Motors family since 2008), it was created by some of the finest design and engineering minds of the time.
Today they have a long history of building performance cars with outstanding design and a unique driving feel – instantly recognisable cars that set the pulse racing. Jaguar are the largest investor in automotive R&D and engineering in the UK.
Kia Motors UK
Kia Motors Corporation was founded in 1944, and enjoys a strong relationship with its parent, The Hyundai Motor Company.
Kia offer a 7-year new car warranty which clearly demonstrates our trust and confidence in the production quality of our manufacturing operations around the world.
By 2020, Kia’s green cars will be increased to 11 models, and is targeting a 25% improvement to average corporate fuel efficiency over 2014 levels.
One of our goals is to dispose environmentally friendly cars in the same environmentally friendly way. That’s why we apply Design for Recycling (DfR) guidelines, and offer an 'End-of-life' recycling scheme.
Land Rover
Land Rover, ‘Go above and beyond’, with the most effective all terrain car manufacturer in the world. Land Rover, once a British Institution, has been owned by India's Tata Motors since 2008.
Land Rover offer the All New Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Defender, along with Velar & Evoque which are all well known for their great reliability and high quality build.
Land Rover believe that strength doesn’t have to be heavy. They’re leading the manufacturing of more efficient aluminium body cars, because they believe enlightened ideas are always the most durable.
Mazda Motors UK
Mazda are very clear on one thing, if it’s not worth driving then it’s not worth building. This Japanese convention defying automotive manufacturer began back in 1931 and they haven’t looked back since We pride ourselves on being stylish, insightful and spirited in everything we do.
These three principles are at the heart of everything, they help Mazda go further, think differently and, above all, defy convention. From being the only Japanese manufacturer to win the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, to its development of the rotary engine and its reinvention of the affordable sports car with the MX-5.
Mercedes-Benz UK
Mercedes-Benz is a global automobile manufacturer and a division of the German company Daimler AG. The brand is known for luxury vehicles, buses, coaches, and trucks.
Mercedes-Benz history began in January 1886 when engineer Karl Benz submitted a patent application for his “vehicle with gas engine operation” to the Imperial Patent Office for the world’s first automobile.
Later the fusion of the two oldest automotive manufacturers in the world takes place in June 1926 when Daimler-Benz AG is established. The new company unveils in October 1926, the first jointly developed passenger car models under the new Mercedes-Benz brand name.
This invention pioneered a path of innovation and technology which remains with Mercedes-Benz to this day.
Mitsubishi Motors
The origin of Mitsubishi goes back to 1870, when the founder, Yataro Iwasaki, started a shipping firm with three aging steamships. Yataro's brother, son and nephew expanded the business into various fields during their respective terms as president and set the foundation of the Mitsubishi companies.
One such company was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries which developed automobiles, aircraft, tanks, and buses producing Japan's first series-production passenger car, the Mitsubishi Model A (1917).
After World War II, the old Mitsubishi organization ended in 1946, The Mitsubishi holding company was dissolved while the trading house fragmented into hundreds of independent enterprises.
However, Mitsubishi was re-born in 1954, when more than 100 companies that had been part of the trading house, Mitsubishi Corporation, merged to re-establish the company.
Nissan Motor (GB)
In 1934, Tokyo-based Jidosha-Seizo Kabushiki-Kaisha (Automobile Manufacturing Co Ltd) takes on a new name: Nissan Motor Company. Nissan produced its first Datsun at its Yokohama plant in April 1935.
Nissan became the first Japanese automaker to win the Deming Prize for engineering excellence in 1960. In the late 1990s, the company built an alliance with French car maker Renault; overhauling its luxury car line.
Nissan’s Intelligent Driving launched in 2016 with the Nissan Serena to be the first model to be with ProPilot in Japan, followed by the Nissan Leaf in Europe Autumn 2017, and in 2018 the Nissan Qashqai with ProPilot will become our first crossover vehicle in Europe equipped with autonomous driving technology.
Peugeot Motor Company
Peugeot is a French car manufacturer, part of Groupe PSA. The family business that preceded the current Peugeot Company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles.
On 20 November 1858, mile Peugeot applied for the lion trademark. Since the iconic Peugeot Lion first appeared, it has constantly evolved and has perpetually highlighted the passionate, feline character of the Peugeot brand.
From the first Peugeot-branded automotive vehicle at the World Fair in Paris: a steam-driven (non-commercialised) 3-wheeler to the all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV (which was voted 'Car of the Year 2017') – Peugeot has written some of the finest pages of automotive history.
Renault UK
Groupe Renault is a French multinational automobile manufacturer. In 1999, The Renault-Nissan Alliance was born.
The adventure began on December 24, 1898, when Louis Renault drove up the steep rue Lepic on Montmartre in Paris with his Voiturette, equipped with a revolutionary direct-drive transmission. That same evening he took 12 firm orders for the vehicle. The Voiturette soon won its first motorsport races, in the process boosting Renault’s total orders for the year to 71.
In 2016, the Renault-Nissan Alliance sold 9.96 million vehicles in almost 200 countries around the world through its eight brands: RENAULT, DACIA, RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS, NISSAN, INFINITI, DATSUN, VENUCIA and LADA. This record figure corresponds to more than one vehicle in every ten sold worldwide.
Quite an increase on those original 12 orders!
SEAT UK
Founded on May 9, 1950, by the Instituto Nacional de Industria (INI), a state-owned industrial holding company. 1990 sees Volkswagen acquire up to 99.99% of SEAT’s shares, and the name Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo, S.A. is changed to SEAT, S.A.
SEAT was founded in order to motorize Spain, a country with only 3.1 cars per every 1000 inhabitants at that time. By 1956 SEAT reach a historical landmark - the production of 10,000 vehicles in one year.
In 1995, the 10.000.000th produced SEAT (a Toledo) is driven off the Martorell assembly line on September 26th by his Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias.
In 2002 SEAT joins Audi and Lamborghini in the Audi Brand Group and under the umbrella of the newly organised Volkswagen Group.
SEAT is one of the youngest, sportiest and most design-driven car manufacturers worldwide who stands shoulder to shoulder with its older siblings.
Škoda Auto UK
In December 1895, keen cyclists Vaclav Laurin (a mechanic) and Vaclav Klement (a bookseller) started designing and manufacturing bicycles. The first company was called Slavia and Slavia bikes sold well. In 1899, they started making motorbikes changing the name of their company to Laurin & Klement Co.
In the early 1900s, the Laurin & Klement Co could do no wrong and their first car, the Voiturette A, was a huge success, becoming a classic in Czech motoring history. A merger with Pizen Skodovka Co in 1925 created ŠKODA.
When the Berlin Wall was brought down in 1989, in came new market economy conditions. The government of the Czech Republic and the management of ŠKODA began to search for a strong foreign partner in an effort to secure the company's long term international competitiveness.
In December 1990, they decided on Volkswagen and a joint venture began the following year. ŠKODA became the fourth brand in the Volkswagen group, alongside Volkswagen, Audi and Seat. Since then, ŠKODA has gone from strength to strength, manufacturing not only many excellent cars but many happy drivers.
Smart Corporate
At Mercedes-Benz Retail Group, we’re proud to represent smart. With its reliable, stylish and fun-to-drive city cars, the marque has remained popular ever since it was first established in the UK.
The Smart's story begins with Swatch CEO Nicolas Hayek, he wanted a car to bear the company's name, a “Swatchmobile” (Smart actually stands for Swatch Mercedes Art) so they contacted Volkswagen but they passed on the offer. It was Daimler Benz who finally decided to greenlight the project. A new factory was built but before the car was even done, Swatch pulled out, leaving Mercedes to complete the project.
The Smart is like Marmite – You either love it or you hate it, there's no way you can be indifferent, it's that kind of car.
SMMT
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) exists to support and promote the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad. Working closely with member companies, SMMT acts as the voice of the motor industry, promoting its position to government, stakeholders and the media.
Around 1.7 million cars and commercial vehicles and three million engines are produced annually in the UK, accounting for 10% of the UK’s total exports. With an annual turnover of £51 billion and a workforce of over 850,000 people, the UK is a key global player within the automotive sector and the industry is a significant contributor to the UK’s economy.
Like all industries, the automotive sector is facing a challenging time. The current economic climate and weak consumer confidence has resulted in falling registrations, across the entire vehicle market. While UK automotive production feeds global demand, strong and decisive action in the UK is needed to stabilise the new car market in particular, to assure the long term health of this vital contributor to the UK economy.
Through representation to government at home and abroad, national and international events, reliable automotive data and practical advice, SMMT plays a central role in the working life of the motor industry. Whether the industry is your business or it impacts on your organisation in any way, SMMT can deliver real business benefits to help your company meet the challenges of the future.
Suzuki Automobiles
Suzuki’s journey began in 1909, producing looms in Hamamatsu, Japan. The company evolved over time, designing and manufacturing its first Motorcycle (Colleda) and first car (Suzulight) in 1955.
Sales in the UK commenced in 1963, firstly with the importation of Motorcycles and later, Cars, ATVs and Marine engines. Today, Suzuki GB PLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, importing product from all over the world.
The BVRLA
AFL (Fleet Management) Ltd is a member of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).
Established in 1967, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is the trade body for companies engaged in the leasing and rental of cars and commercial vehicles.
Its members provide short-term self-drive rental, leasing hire and fleet management services to corporate users and consumers. They operate a combined fleet of 2.6 million cars, vans and trucks, buying 44% of all new vehicles sold in the UK. In doing so, they spend in excess of £15.4 billion each year on vehicles and around a further £4 billion on support services.
Through its 800 member companies and their customers, the BVRLA represents the interests of more than two million business car drivers and the 10 million people who use a rental vehicle each year.
It lobbies at the heart of government in the UK and EU to ensure that regulation and legislation affecting its members is fair and doesn’t stifle competition. The BVRLA also works with public sector agencies, industry associations and key business influencers on key road transport, taxation and finance-related issues.
The association regulates the industry through a regular series of quality assurance inspections and a mandatory code of conduct.
Toyota (GB)
Toyota Motor Corporation was established in 1937, but Toyota's origins lie in the Japanese weaving industry when Sakichi Toyoda invented the world's first automatic loom and set up the Toyoda Spinning and Weaving Company in 1918. His invention reduced defects & increased yields, as the a loom stopped when producing imperfect fabric. This principle of designing equipment to stop automatically and call attention to problems immediately remains crucial to the Toyota Production System today.
This innovation along with the 7 Guiding Principles at Toyota – (in brief) of Honour the language and spirit of every nation, Respecting their cultures & customs, Providing clean and safe products, Creating & developing advanced technologies, Enhancing creativity & team work, Pursue growth in harmony with the global community and Working with business partners in research to create a stable, long term growth with mutual benefits, makes Toyota continuously strive to contribute to the sustainable development of society and the earth through the provision of high-quality and innovative products.
Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors is one of the oldest established vehicle manufacturers and distribution companies in Great Britain. Vauxhall started making cars in 1903, from the beginning it was forward thinking - a 6HP with its slow-revving single cylinder engine, amalgamating the chassis and lower body into a composite steel and wood structure. Vauxhall’s sporting debut in October 1903 with a time trail in the ninth Vauxhall ever made.
Vauxhall is a subsidiary of the German company Adam Opel GmbH which is part of Groupe PSA.
Today with their engineers, thinkers and experts they are always on the lookout for ideas that will make their cars smarter than the others. To make driving a greener, safer and more superior experience with every new Vauxhall they produce.
Volkswagen
Who doesn’t love a VDub?
Volkswagen, shortened to VW, is a German automaker founded on May 28, 1937. A new city, "Stadt des KdF-Wagens", near Fallersleben in Lower Saxony emerges for the factory in the same year, later the city is re-named Wolfsburg in 1945 and is still the home of Volkswagen.
Volkswagen's relationship with the UK dates back to 1952, when the first two Beetles were sold. In 1953 Volkswagen Motors Ltd became the official UK importer, and the brand went from strength to strength.
Today Volkswagen UK, as part of the Volkswagen Group, is one of the country's largest importers of vehicles, employing nearly 600 people nationwide, with the Volkswagen brand employing 180 in its UK headquarters alone.
Volvo Car UK
Volvo was founded by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson in April 1927. The company was formed on a background of quality and safety which were both of paramount importance, a concept that still applies to the Volvo cars of today.
One of Volvo’s most notable innovations is the use of the three-point safety belts. This was a world first and was just the start of Volvo’s safety innovations. In 2009, Volvo reported that one million lives had been saved since the invention of the three-point safety belt. And, it should be noted that Volvo did not keep this to themselves. They realised its safety potential and made it available to all manufacturers.
Let it be said that Volvo are very ambitious. And very passionate about safety. So passionate and so ambitious, in fact, that their 2020 vision is that “no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car” (Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars).