Group 1 Automotive

Welcome to Group 1 Automotive

We are here to make your car buying experience as pleasurable as possible. Whether you are buying a new or used car or van, we aim to ensure that your purchasing and ownership journey is an enjoyable one.

Made up of multiple dealership groups, our dealerships offer prestige vehicles from performance manufacturers like Audi, BMW and Jaguar to lifestyle vehicles from the likes of Kia, SEAT and ŠKODA. We also offer a range of business vehicles to suit your requirements. Our dealerships operate across the East and the South East of England.

Each member of our team has been carefully selected to include enthusiasts and expert staff, all of whom are fully trained and well-versed in the entire range. We can help you get the perfect deal on the perfect vehicle. Competitive and flexible finance is offered on all of our vehicles to make spreading the cost of your purchase easier than ever.

For as long as you own your dream vehicle, you are part of the Group 1 Automotive family and will be supported with full aftersales care. We carry out manufacturer-approved servicing, repairs and maintenance from our service centres, with only genuine manufacturer parts used by our qualified technicians.

At Group 1 Automotive, you can benefit from an exceptional service no matter what you require. Customer service is our number one priority.

Group1 Automotive Timeline

Mar 2007

Group 1 Automotive is founded in the UK

In 2007 the UK operation of Group 1 Automotive was founded as we acquired our first BMW & MINI Dealerships based in Brighton, Hailsham & Worthing

Mar 2010

Acquisition of Farnborough & Hindhead BMW

Farnborough and Hindhead BMW & MINI become part of Group 1 Automotive, now representing both brands across Hampshire and Surrey.

May 2012

Essex Audi become part of Group 1 Automotive

Essex Audi is made up of six Audi dealerships covering Chelmsford, Chingford, Colchester, Harold Wood, Stansted, Southend and surrounding areas.

Feb 2013

Think Ford is founded

Originally part of Inchcape the Farnborough, Guildford, Wokingham and Bracknell Ford Centres become part of Group 1 Automotive in 2013 and the Think Ford name was born.

Dec 2014

Acquisition of Elms Group

In 2014, the Elms Bedford, Cambridge & Stansted BMW & MINI Centres become part of Group 1 Automotive, now representing both brands across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

Feb 2016

Spire Automotive join Group 1 Automotive

Spire Automotive become part of Group 1 Automotive in 2016 representing Audi, BMW, MINI, VW Commercial, SEAT and SKODA across Hertfordshire, London and Essex.

Jun 2017

Beadles Group is acquired

Beadles joins Group 1 Automotive and brings over 100 years of trading experiance, Beadles represents Jaguar, Landrover, VW, Kia, SKODA, Vauxhall and Toyata across Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Mar 2018

Group 1 Automotive add Mercedes-Benz & Smart

Originally part of the Robinsons Motor Group, the acquired centres are based in Norwich, Peterborough, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and Kings Lynn, with Smart representation at Cambridge, Norwich and Peterborough.

97 %

of Group1 Automotive customers would recommend to their friends and family.

Jack was great and I love my mini!!

Miss T 9th July 2020 Barons MINI Farnborough
I was pleased with MercedesBenz of Kings Lynn and would recommend them because they are very professional and helpful. Nicola was so lovely with me. Great service from her.

Miss May Birkett 8th July 2020 MercedesBenz of Kings Lynn
Fantastic service, Very satisfied with my new Audi A5. Andrew Forster was a pleasure to deal with and after sales service has been great. I have already recommended to family and will be using Finchley Road Audi again in the future!

Mr Ben Taylor 8th July 2020 Finchley Road Audi
Barons MINI Cambridge were great because my sales person Noah was so nice and patient, he explained everything and answered all questions. Even after I bought my car and had questions he answered them promptly via email. They were very short staffed due to Covid yet he still maintained a warm and positive attitude, he’s a real credit to the team. Thank you, Noah.

Read More Miss Milly Desmarais 8th July 2020 Barons MINI Cambridge
I'd definitely recommend Harold Wood Audi because my purchase was seamless and the staff were very helpful.

Miss West 8th July 2020 Harold Wood Audi
My experience at Finchley Road Audi was memorable because of Service we received by Yasser Farhat . He was very helpful and look after us very well. He didn’t push to buys and tried outmost to help us. In fact after sale of car offer us to call him if we need anything. We love his passion for treating customer to another level . We traveled from Sheffield to buy the car .

Read More Mr Omar 8th July 2020 Finchley Road Audi
I'd recommend Think Ford Farnborough to anyone because we feel very comfortable dealing with Think Ford. The customer services was above and beyond the service we expected. Nothing was too much trouble and the aftercare was brilliant. Tom made the transaction very easy for us to complete. 5 star service treatment, amazing salesman

Read More Mrs C 8th July 2020 Think Ford Farnborough
I would recommend Hatfield Audi to friends and family because they take the time to understand exactly what you are looking for and work with you to make that happen.

Mr Sales 8th July 2020 Hatfield Audi
I'd recommend Beadles Volkswagen Chelmsford because from the minute I walked in everyone was very welcoming, made me feel at ease, great selection of vehicles and nothing was too much to find me the right car for me!

Mr Jason Mills 8th July 2020 Beadles Volkswagen Chelmsford
My experience at Mercedes of Peterborough was cracking because it is my local dealer and they unlike most places ensure social distancing. The attitude of the staff was helpful and information was delivered in simple terms. Well done!

Mr Oluseyi Ola 8th July 2020 Mercedes of Peterborough
Think Ford Farnborough were fantastic because there was a wide selection of vehicles at very reasonable prices

Mr Robert Bean 8th July 2020 Think Ford Farnborough
Stansted Audi were great, friendly staff easy to talk to and not pressured into anything.

Mr Mickey Cartin 8th July 2020 Stansted Audi
Tolga was very helpful in sorting out the car, finance and explained everything very clearly and concisely.

Mr Anderson 8th July 2020 Chingford Audi
My experience at Beadles Skoda Maidstone was positive because the vehicle was perfect and the sales person very helpful

Mrs B 8th July 2020 Beadles Skoda Maidstone