TrustFord
{{Short description|Car dealership company in the UK}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ford Retail Group Ltd.
| former_name = Polar Ford (1998–2004)
| logo = Ford Retail Group Logo (TrustFord).jpg
| logo_size =
| image =
| fate =
| founded = {{start date and age|1998}}
| founder = Ford Motor Company
| location = Colchester, Essex, U.K.
| key_people = {{Ubl
| Stuart Mustoe (chairman, CEO)
| John Leeman (Director of Dealer Operations)
}}
| industry = Automotive
| products = New and used cars
| locations = Worldwide
| services =
| owner =
| num_employees = 2958 (2007){{cite news|url=http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/boardroom/content/4/|title=Ford Retail: The Boardroom Magazine|website=themanufacturer.com|date=26 April 2007|accessdate=17 May 2015}}
| parent = Ford of Britain
| subsid =
| brands =
| homepage = {{url|trustford.co.uk}}
}}
Ford Retail Group Ltd., currently operating as TrustFord,{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Jeremy|title=Ford Retail to rebrand network as TrustFord|url=http://www.am-online.com/news/2014/2/14/ford-retail-to-rebrand-network-as-trustford/34420/|date=14 February 2014|access-date=16 February 2015|publisher=AM Online}} is an operator of franchised motorcar dealerships in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands that is now owned by Ford of Europe. In addition to selling both new and used Ford and Iveco cars and commercial vehicles, Ford Retail Group dealerships also operate their full garage workshop, repair and service centre.{{cite news|url=http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/boardroom/content/5/|title=Ford Retail: The Boardroom Magazine|website=themanufacturer.com|date=26 April 2007|accessdate=17 May 2015}}
History
In October 1998, Jardine Motors Group announced a joint venture with the manufacturer for its Ford dealerships.Barkas, Eric (1998) Ford Poised to Become a Retailer with Jardine-Polar Joint Firm. Yorkshire Post, 1 October 1998, p.14 The merged firm was named Polar Ford.{{cite news|url=http://www.motortrader.com/general-news/lancaster-and-polar-ford-cause-headaches-for-jardine/|title=Lancaster and Polar Ford cause headaches for Jardine|website=www.motortrader.com|date=21 August 2000|accessdate=17 May 2015}}
The following year, Polar Ford purchased Dagenham Motors.{{cite news|url=http://www.motortrader.com/general-news/dagenham-board-accepts-polar-bid/|title=Dagenham Accepts Polar Bid|website=www.motortrader.com|date=25 January 1999|accessdate=17 May 2015}} In May 2002, Polar Ford purchased a further three dealerships in North London from Stripestar,{{cite news|url=http://www.motortrader.com/general-news/london-ford-dealers-join-polar-expansion/|title=London Ford dealers join Polar expansion|website=www.motortrader.com|date=13 May 2002|accessdate=17 May 2015}} and Alperton Ford in February 2003,{{cite news|url=http://www.motortrader.com/general-news/polar-buys-alperton-ford-in-north-west-london/|title=Polar Buys Alperton Ford in North West London|website=www.motortrader.com|date=February 2003|accessdate=17 May 2015}} before Jardine sold their 51% stake in the joint venture to Ford in March 2004, at which point the company became known as Ford Retail Group.{{cite news|url=http://www.motortrader.com/general-news/ford-acquires-polar-motor-group/|title=Ford acquires Polar Motor Group|website=www.motortrader.com|date=March 2004|accessdate=17 May 2015}}
By 2014, Ford Retail Group was operating under a number of different names:
- Dagenham Ford – primarily located in London and the surrounding counties
- Polar Ford – primarily located in Yorkshire and North West England
- Brunel Ford – located in South West England
- Heartlands Ford – Birmingham and surrounding area
- Lindsay Ford – Northern Ireland
- Bougourd Ford – Guernsey
- La Motte Ford – Jersey
- Ford Online
- Ford Online Parts
As a result, the company took the decision that year to rebrand all its activities under the single name of TrustFord.{{cite news|url=http://www.am-online.com/news/2014/2/14/ford-retail-to-rebrand-network-as-trustford/34420/|title=Ford Retail to rebrand network as TrustFord|website=www.motortrader.com|date=14 February 2014|accessdate=17 May 2015}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website}}
{{FordEurope}}
Category:Automotive companies of the United Kingdom