Jersey Hyundai has been owned and run by Nigel Harrington since 2010, and now sees sales of around 125 vehicles per annum. It also sells pre-owned cars and offers a full after-sales service from the premises in Cheapside.
Nigel said that he felt it was the right time to sell the business. He will be staying on in a consultancy position for at least a year to help ensure a smooth transition for The Mansell Collection and the Jersey Hyundai customers. He said that informal discussions with Leo a year ago had become more formalised in November and the process had moved swiftly to a conclusion in mid-January.
‘I have a good personal and working relationship with Leo and I like the way The Mansell Collection does business,’ said Nigel. ‘We both like to get to know our customers and ensure they receive the best service possible.
‘I know that our loyal Hyundai customers will enjoy the same level of customer service, if not better, with the investment The Mansell Collection will be able to make. Hyundai UK have been extremely helpful and gave their blessing to the deal. I think they can see it will give the franchise the opportunity to grow further in the Island.’
Leo stressed that it would be business as usual for the staff at Jersey Hyundai and the customers. ‘I believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it, and Nigel and the team at Jersey Hyundai have been doing great things in recent years.
‘Hyundai offers different strengths in the range to Mitsubishi. It is a great brand with some very exciting products to come, especially the EV technology and hybrid models coming on line.
‘Whereas Mitsubishi has the SUVs and 4x4s, Hyundai offers the saloon cars, such as the IONIQ, while the i10 is just the perfect small car for Jersey. It is recognised as being the best in class and is great to drive.’
Hyundai is bringing out 16 new variants or models this year, some with just minor changes, others new models completely.
The company employed Albert Biermann in April 2015, the former head of BMW’s M performance division, to develop the South Korean manufacturer’s sports car sub-brand, which is known as N, which is said to refer to Namyang, where the facility is based.
The 130 N is the first vehicle to be launched, inspired by Hyundai Motorsport’s experience in the World Rally Championship since 2014.
The Mansell Collection has signed a new lease and will continue to trade out of the Cheapside premises. ‘Nigel and I have been discussing this for about a year. It became serious in November and then developed very quickly. We needed the sign-off from a lot of different people and it was a very smooth process and was all official on 19 January,’ Leo explained. ‘I am looking forward to learning everything I can about Hyundai from Nigel, as every manufacturer is different.’
The Mansell Collection has been trading for five years now and has grown year on year. Having started by selling pre-owned cars, the business took on the Mitsubishi franchise in September 2014.
‘When we opened, we had four members of staff, said leo. ‘Now with the Jersey Hyundai workforce that number is up to 24, which says it all.’
Leo said that his father, ex-Formula One World Drivers’ Champion Nigel, had been fully involved in the process.
‘He met the senior management at Hyundai UK and has overseen everything as chairman of The Mansell Collection board of directors. It is great to have his knowledge and experience looking down from above.
‘When we have been tied up with the minutiae of the deal, he has been able to maintain an overview and make some valuable contributions,’ said Leo.
Leo concluded by saying it had been a very good start to 2018 for the business. ‘We have two complementary and strong franchises at two great locations that appeal to a wide demographic and are only two minutes apart by car or bike. It is the ideal situation.’
