Proud to Work with Local Businesses

We have long been proud of our working relationships with local businesses and have been delighted to assist thousands of businesses in everything from construction, forestry, farming and fishing to find the perfect vehicle for their needs over the years. We don't do 'one size fits all'.

One of our most recent success stories was our supply of three L200 pick-ups to a local veterinary business. Torch Farm and Equine Limited, which works in partnership with the Charter Veterinary Hospital Group and operates seven veterinary clinics across North Devon, approached us in 2013 and- after careful deliberation- decided to opt for three of the rough and rugged L200s for their business.

L to R: Bill Dixon, Chris Chapple (Senior Sales Executive) and Mike Blake, Director of Torch Farm and Equine Ltd.

Bill Dixon, Group Business Manager of the Charter/Torch Farm and Equine Group, was full of praise for the L200's they purchased. He said:

"These vehicles are ideal for our business needs in providing round-the-clock large animal veterinary care and herd management to a farm and equine client base across the wide expanses of North Devon.

The varied terrain and extreme weather conditions of the area require a versatile and robust vehicle which offers excellent off-road capabilities, comfortable and generous cabin space, an easy-to-use and reliable communications package, and the capacity to accommodate and protect a wide inventory of specialist equipment".

Mr Dixon added that the vehicles' five-year warranty had helped his company make their purchase decision and paid tribute to our team, saying:

"The team at Devonshire Motors have provided a highly personalised and cost-smart solution which meets our needs into the future. They couldn't have been more helpful."

We were absolutely delighted to have been able to supply the trio of L200's, we're only too familiar with the qualities of the L200, so to hear a valued customer praise them so highly makes us feel very proud indeed!

Contact a member of our Sales team on 01271 342600 or on sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk to arrange a no-obligation appointment to discuss your business requirements and see what cash-flow savings and other benefits may be available to you. 

Mitsubishi Sales Growth Booms in 2014

Mitsubishi had a fantastic year in 2013 and the steady increase in sales doesn't look to be abating just yet!

2014 has begun on a high with UK passenger vehicle sales up a huge 46% on the same time the previous year. And 2013 was the best year yet! Sales over the year sat 38% over 2012 and led the manufacturer to be crowned "UK's fastest growing mainstream car brand".

An achievement in any manufacturers book but especially resounding for Mitsubishi as a brand with a comparably small market share in the UK among the likes of Ford and Vauxhall.

Lance Bradley with Mitsubishi Ambassador & Olympic Equestrian Mary King

Mitsubishi Motors UK Managing Director, Lance Bradley said:

"For Mitsubishi 2014 will be another year of dramatic growth. New products and increased marketing spend mean we expect to grow again at a similar rate to 2013.

Our most significant new product will be Outlander PHEV, a 4X4 SUV which emits only 44g/km CO2 and can travel 32 miles using solely electricity". 

Based on the last few years we have no doubt that these estimates will ring true and the promise of the introduction of innovative and unique products to the range should ensure this expansion continues long after the end of the year. Congratulations Mitsubishi! Here's to another record breaking year.

Outlander PHEV Storms Europe

With a plan for Electric Vehicles (EV's) and EV-derived Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV's) to represent 20% of its global sales by 2020, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has set itself an ambitious, yet realistic target. Even more so in Europe, Mitsubishi Motors' largest market for these technologies. 

The Outlander PHEV- the worlds first production Plug-in Hybrid SUV and forerunner of the wider PHEV range- has been embraced in phenomenal numbers throughout Europe since its introduction in October 2013.

 
It was first launched in selected markets (The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland) and, in that time, has racked up an impressive 12,000 orders with 8,197 deliveries already having been made by the end of 2013. The Netherlands, in particular- have adopted the vehicle in huge numbers thanks- in part- to a tax scheme favourable to eco-friendly technologies.


With any luck similar tax schemes could be considered in the UK when the vehicle is introduced later this year but regardless, the incredible benefits available on the Outlander PHEV are clear. Buyers will enjoy a £5,000 plug-in grant, road tax exemption, 148mpg and- thanks to Co2 emissions of just 44g/km- early indications suggest company car drivers will pay just 5% benefit-in-kind (even more impressive when compared against the cleanest Nissan Qashqai at 14%).

With statistics like that it is unsurprising Mitsubishi Motors Corporation estimate global production volume of the PHEV to reach 30,000 units by the end of March 2014- with Europe its largest market. Here's hoping their success in the Netherlands can be repeated in the UK! We'll keep you posted.

Motocross in the South West 2014

Regular readers of our blog will be well aware of our sponsorship of local Motocross rider, Mark Osborne. The photo shoot in 2013 was one of our best read posts and the images really were fantastic (even if it did mean digging around next to the dual carriageway for loose grass!) and we're delighted to be supporting him again for the 2014 season. 

We know that Mark has been training hard and wish him all the very best for a safe and successful year. The Motocross events really do offer something for everyone and below is a list of events in the South West Off Road Motocross that Mark will be competing in this year:



6th April- (Non Champ), Littlehempston
13th April- (Non Champ), Whiteway
20th April- (Non Champ), Moreleigh 
11th May- (CH Rnd 1), Littlehempston
18th May- (CH Rnd 2), Moreleigh
8th June- (CH Rnd 3), Crediton
22nd June- (CH Rnd 4), Landrake
29th June- (CH Rnd 5), Garlands
6th July- (CH Rnd 6), Little Silver
20th July- (CH Rnd 7), Moreleigh
27th July- (CH Rnd 8), Littlehempston
10th August- (CH Rnd 9), Whiteway
24th/25th August- (Team Event), Moreleigh
7th September- (CH Rnd 10), Crediton
14th September- (CH Rnd 11), Fraddon
21st September- (CH Rnd 12), TBA

 
If you happen to visit please snap a pictures for us! We'll be sure to keep you posted on Marks progress throughout the season but would love a few action shots!

If you'd like any more information about the South West Motocross Championship do feel free to contact Elise at Devonshire Motors who will be pleased to point you in the right direction. elise.egner@devonshire-motors.co.uk/01271 342600.
         

Winner Takes Home Car for a Year!

A lucky winner has picked up the keys to a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage for a year from us!

An 'ecstatic' Jackie McKeown drove away in the fantastic new super-mini, after being entered into the prize draw for taking the car for a test drive. Mrs McKeown- who has been visiting the showroom for several years with her Mitsubishi Colt- took a liking to the Mirage and took it for a spin when she brought her current vehicle in for its annual service. 

She was not the only one! The competition proved very popular, especially considering the prize on offer was a red Mirage 3 (the highest available specification) with a vast specification- including everything from climate controlled air conditioning and keyless operation with start/stop button to front and rear parking sensors, automatic lights and rain sensors. 

Wesley from our Sales Team was delighted to be able to call Mrs McKeown the good news just after Christmas and she was clearly delighted! She said:

"I am absolutely ecstatic. When Wesley rang me to tell me I had won, I felt sure there must be some kind of catch- but there isn't! I had to come and see the car to prove to myself that it would be mine for a year."

And we couldn't think of a better winner! We are assured the 4 door will be very handy for the family as Mrs McKeown has a five-month old grandson to transport on occasion and hearing that it is the "best car she's ever driven" makes it all the better. 


 

 

Christmas at Devonshire Motors; Santa's not-so-little Helper!

First things first, we would like to wish all of our customers and readers of our Blog a very merry Christmas and- in case we miss it for one reason or another...- a happy New Year. Wishing you all the very best for a fantastic 2014!


We've been a busy team since the last time we updated- with December turning out to be a fantastic month for us with Sales at an all-time high for the time of year. Our annual mince pie and mulled wine event was a great success and we were also able to support our local Round Table in their quest to bring Santa to Barnstaple (& raise a phenomenal amount for local causes in the process!). 


We lent Santa (and his helpers from the Barnstaple Round Table) a top-of-the-range Mitsubishi Shogun 4X4 to tow his sleigh around the town in their annual Santa Sleigh Runs. The tours continued for a fortnight, with trips all over the area including Roundswell, Newport, the Town Centre and, a new route for 2013, Landkey. 

The tours were a huge success, raising an incredible £7031.30 for local charities (smashing their target of £6500 by some margin!) We were delighted to be able to help and loved seeing Santa driving past every evening as he started his journey. (Although he was sat on the cold sleigh behind, rather than in comfort watching a DVD in the back of the Shogun where we would have been ;))

A big congratulations to the Barnstaple and District Round Table and the people of Barnstaple for, yet again, getting behind what is a fantastic, fun, local attraction and helping it be such a success for the seventh year running. 

Second Major Award of 2013 for Your Local Dealership!

We are pleased to announce that the awards shelf has had another new addition- its second of 2013!

Nathan Tomlinson, our Dealer Principal, was named 'Used Car Dealer Principal of the Year' at the high profile Used Car Awards. The event- held at the Brewery in central London- was organised by leading trade title Car Dealer Magazine, and sponsored by Black Horse (part of Lloyds Banking Group). 

The Brewery, London

Launched last year with the aim of celebrating the hard work and efforts of everyone in the used car sector, the awards are already confirmed to be taking place again in 2014 at the same venue. 

More than 400 people attended the black-tie event, hosted by TV personality Mike Brewer (presenter of motoring show Wheeler Dealers) and awards were dished out to worthy winners in 20 categories including to our man in charge!

Nathan with his latest award!

Nathan was, justifiably, thrilled to have won and said, 'The Used Car award is a really great accolade for the dealership- it's been a fantastic year that's seen us go from strength to strength and to win this particular award makes me especially proud. 

We've invested a lot of time and effort in sourcing what we believe are the best used cars in the area. They are prepared and presented to a very high standard and come with the back-up you'd expect from a main dealer. To do this and be able to remain competitive on pricing means we have a unique position which has been recognised at national level".

Used Car Award Winners

As any of you who have purchased from us previously will know, we don't opt for the usual hard-sell routine you may have experienced from other car dealerships. We believe we're different and one of our main motivations for doing what we do is to prove that you can buy a car from nice people who genuinely do care about you and your interests. 

We'd like to offer our congratulations to all those shortlisted and the winners of the awards. A lot of fun was had by all (we won't go into discussion about the free bar ;)) and we're very much hoping to be in attendance next year. Good work Car Dealer Magazine!