More than 100,000 Mirages Sold Worldwide

Figures out this week have shown that sales for the Mitsubishi Mirage- know within Mitsubishi as the "Global Small"- have topped the 100,000 mark. Quite a feat considering the vehicle was only launched in March last year!




The Mitsubishi Mirage in 'Pop Green'



The Mirage was first introduced in Thailand in March 2012 and is now available in more than 45 countries worldwide. It arrived in the UK earlier this year and is already creating waves- helping Mitsubishi become the fastest-growing car manufacturer in the UK with sales for the first half of the year across the brand running 40 percent ahead of the first half of 2012!

But it isn't particularly surprising- the Mirage gas quickly won itself a reputation as a compact and clever city car - it's so efficient it has zero road tax across the range, has the smallest turning circle among it's peers and offers an astonishing 65mpg.

Fancy test driving the Mirage? Call us on 01271 342600, email sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk or pop into our showroom in Barnstaple, we'd love to see you!

It's Official: We Have the Country's Best Dealer Principal!

We have serious cause for celebration this week following last weeks annual Motor Trader Awards 2013! Our very own Dealer Principal- Nathan Tomlinson- suprised many of us (including himself!) by beating off the opposition and picking up the prestigious 'Dealer Principal of the Year Award' at the glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Wednesday evening.

Nathan Tomlinson and Sunday Times General Manager Jim Murray-Jones

The awards honour the hard work and achievements of those in the Motor Trade and Nathan was selected by a panel of industry experts. BBC Sports presenter John Inverdale hosted the evening, Comedian Stephen K Amos entertained the 1500 strong audience later in proceedings and there was even an appearance from racing legend Sir Stirling Moss! We took full advantage of the London Taxi photo booth on offer (check out our Facebook Page for a cheap laugh!) and the Lotus Racing simulator- with variable results!



All of this years Motor Trader Award Winners

 Following the event Nathan said "I am naturally delighted to have won. The Motor Trader Industry Awards are well respected by everybody in the business so of course I am very pleased. I see this award as a tribute to what is more than just a typical dealership. We benefit as a direct result of the hard work that everybody puts in at Devonshire Motors, the team here are amazing. More than just that though, we are representing a dynamic brand who work closely with their dealer network to encourage profitability.


"We're successful on a local level because our staff are passionately committed to looking after customers, but our overall success comes from a combination of what we do and the people we work with. I'm exceptionally proud for all of us".  

Considering the sheer number of car dealerships in the UK I'm sure that you'll agree this is an incredible achievement and one all of us at Devonshire Motors are very proud of!

Motor Trader Awards Finalists Again!

We are incredibly proud to announce that we have beaten hundreds of competitors across the UK to make it to the final for a brace of awards in the Motor Trader Industry Awards 2013.

The man in charge, Nathan Tomlinson, is up for the prestigious Dealer Principal award while our Accident Repair Centre, led by Graeme Bennett, has been shortlisted for the Independent Garage of the Year Award.



Motor Trader Awards 2012



The winners will be decided from amongst the shortlisted contendors by a panel of industry experts and announced at a black-tie ceremony at the exclusive, five star Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London (altogether now... Ooooooh!) on July 10th.

The event (which is in its 23rd year) is hosted by Motor Trader Magazine- the leading title for automotive industry professionals in the UK- and attracts 1200 key figures and sponsorship from some of the largest names in the industry. 

We're especially proud, having previously won the Aftermarket Innovation Award at the same awards in 2011, to have been nominated for these prestigious awards again and, win or lose, it really is an honour just to have made the finals.

Our table is booked, we're busy dusting off our tuxedos and evening gowns and will be sure to keep you up to date on our progress and will take plenty of photos (early on!) on the evening of the awards. Fingers crossed!

Top to Tow....?

Whether you need to pull a caravan, a boat, a horse-box or trailer- Mitsubishi's long history of creating class-leading 4x4s ensures we will have the perfect vehicle to meet your needs.

The multi-award winning Mitsubishi L200 can handle any environment when it comes to towing, from the farm to the construction site and everywhere in between.

The legendary Shogun, with its combination of power and luxury, is the ultimate machine for country pursuits and getting off the beaten track and, capable of towing up to 3,500 kg, rivals almost all other competitors in it's class for sheer brawn. It makes light of any load.

And the Outlander and ASX are just as capable. The Outlander combines the comfort and practicality of a family vehicle (accomodating 7 people with ease) while the ASX crossover offers unmatched versatility and style and delivers pulling power significantly above what you might expect from an urban crossover.

Far from just selling these giants of the towing world, we can likely give you a few pointers if required too! Our parts department can source the majority of towing equipment you might need- from tow bars to electrics while two of our Service team- John our Service Manager and Service Advisor Hannah are- as well as being knowledgeable in the technical aspects, prolific caravan towers (if there wasn't such a word there is now!)

New to towing or a bit of a dab hand at it? Mitsubishis 'Guide to Towing' might be a worthwhile read either way: www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/towing/... Everything from picking your vehicle, loading up, driving to reversing- it's a pretty concise guide!

We'd also love to hear your towing stories... never had a towing vehicle as good as your Outlander? Has your Shogun got you out of some sticky situations?! Let us know! info@devonshire-motors.co.uk

Everton Supporters At Odds Over Cars

The battle lines have been drawn between an Everton mad couple after they bought two new cars- his in blue and whites and hers in the dreaded Liverpool red.

Derek and Anne Pulford, from Combe Martin, agree on most things but their choice of car colours has proved a source of disagreement and amusement.

Derek bought himself a Mitsubishi Colt Cz1 in white with a blue roof and wing mirrors and liked the car so much he went back to Devonshire Motors in Barnstaple to buy one for his wife.

But with only red Colts left, as the model is at the end of the line, he was forced to make a difficult decision.

Derek, a mental health support worker, said: "I was really pleased when they offered to do my white one with a blue roof and wing mirrors because then it was in the Everton colours but when we went back to get on for Anne there was only red left. As Everton fans we weren't sure but when Anne saw it, it was love at first sight.

"We haven't been up to Everton yet since we got the cars but when we do it'll have to be in the blue and white one. I don't think I could face going up in the red one".

Anne, a nurse, has hung an Everton flag in her red car to show her true colours.

She said: "It's a brilliant car and even though it's red Derek keeps trying to pinch it".

Derek, who helps out as a volunteer with youth football, added" "The service at Devonshire Motors has been second to none. The cars are beautiful to drive and great to look at".



The Pulfords with their two Mitsubishi Colts

 Jason Woolway, Sales Executive at the Mitsubishi dealership in Braunton Road, Barnstaple, said: "We had a joke with them about the colours and it's caused quite a bit of amusement but they are really pleased with their new cars.

"They're both big Everton fans so Derek wasn't sure Anne would go for a red car but she loves it".

The replacement for the Mitsubishi Colt- the Mirage- is now in the showroom and available for test drive. Offering up to 68mpg, no road tax across the range, a best-in-class turning circle (just one reason it is so comfortable and easy to drive) and a choice of a precise manual or a smooth and efficient CVT automatic, it really is a Mirage with substance.

High levels of specification are on offer including traction control and an excellent safety package, even on the base model and if it is style you are after- the Mirage will really fit the bill. Available in a rainbow of colours and with a rear spoiler, colour keyed door mirrors and handles and privacy glass standard on the Mirage 2 and upwards, it is a sporty, welcome addition to the Mitsubishi range.

For more information about the new Mitsubishi Mirage (or any of the other vehicles in the range) or to arrange a test drive call Devonshire Motors on 01271 342 600, email sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk or visit the showroom at Braunton road, Barnstaple, EX31 1LQ.

Off To a Great Start!

Statistics released from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for February show that Mitsubishi's sales have almost trebled- up to 192 per cent- on the same month last year- the biggest increase of any manufacturer. A huge success that has been echoed by us here, at Devonshire Motors, on a local scale.

Our recent 'Man from Mitsubishi' event was a resounding success with far more cars- both new and used- sold than we could have expected and, most importantly, many happy customers (everyone loves a fantastic deal)! Mitsubishi's claim that the new Mirage would be a volume seller appears to be coming true and the forecourt is now littered with Mirages in (almost) every colour of the rainbow as we have been frantically ordering to keep up with demand!

Devonshire Motors' Dealer Principal- NathanTomlinson said "We are incredibly excited to have the Mirage in the showroom, already we have seen a huge amount of interest". He added- "The Mirage is class leading in almost every respect: fuel economy, zero road tax, low emission and tightest turning circle to name just a few. Our green demonstration vehicle has certainly been turning heads and we expect the rest of the colour range to have the same effect!".

The other vehicle new to our showroom, and a major factor in the recent sales lift for the Mitsubishi brand, is the Outlander- combining the practicality and flexibility of a sports utility vehicle with the luxury and refinement of the world's finest family cars.

Having sold almost one million Outlanders worldwide since 2001, Mitsubishi is naturally very proud of the new vehicle, the safest and most environmentally friendly version ever produced. And with the latest re-incarnation boasting a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, best-in-class fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions as well as the very latest in technological advancements- it is no surprise that so many have sold already.

The success cannot only be attributed to the vehicles though- Mitsubishi Motors in the UK Sales and Marketing Director, Toby Marshall- suggests that "three things are counting in our favour: the outstanding value of Mitsubishi vehicles across the range, the quality and reliability of those vehicles and the legendary customer service provided"- the latter, specifically, being something of paramount importance to us as a dealership.

More details on the Mirage and Outlander (or any of our vehicles) can be found on our website and we have several available to view and test drive at our showroom in Barnstaple, Devon. Bookings can be made in advance by calling 01271 342600 or emailing sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk.

Olympic Equestrians Take Ambassadorial Reigns

Two of the equestrian world's biggest stars are among the first drivers in the UK to take delivery of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander.

Eventer Mary King MBE and dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin OBE- both members of Team GB's triumphant equestrian squad at London 2012- were presented with their stunning new cars after joining the carmaker as its new brand ambassadors.

The pair- who are gearing up for the forthcoming European Championships and, of course, the Rio Olympics in 2016- will be representing the brand at a number of events this year (including the world renowned Badminton Horse Trials) and putting their new vehicles to good use in the meantime as they crisscross the country competing.

Mary, who has represented Great Britain at six Olympic Games, winning two silver medals and one bronze, and Charlotte, a double gold medallist at London, collected the keys to their top specification Outlander- the GX5- from managing director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK- Lance Bradley- from the Badminton Estate.

The new Outlander is available from the Showroom priced from £24,244 to £33,999 with the GX5 versions (identical to those given to the two Olympians) containing a heap of technologically advanced extras- everything from innovative radar-powered Forward Collision Mitigation and Adaptive Cruise Control systems to the Speed Limiter and 7 airbags- contributing to the vehicles impeccable Euro NCAP 5 star rating. It also comes complete with a satellite navigation system, superb multi-function stereo featuring Bluetooth, and a brand new DAB digital radio receiver.

For more information, or to arrange a test drive of one of these fantastic vehicles, pease do not hesitate to contact us by calling 01271 342600, emailing sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk or by popping into the showroom and speaking with one of our sales team.