Scottish dealership group Peoples has been crowned BYD UK Retailer of the Yr, highlighting a successful first yr of partnership with the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer.
The award was presented during an event in Shenzhen, China, where Peoples managing director Nicola Gilda proudly accepted the accolade.
Gilda, writing on LinkedIn, said: “Have just returned from Shenzhen, China, where we were presented with BYD UK Retailer of the Yr 2024 in our first yr of partnering with BYD. Thanks to Bono Ge, Steve Beattie, Adam Harkin, and Simon Bisp for believing in us and inspiring us all of the technique to change into your local and national heroes. And to Peoples BYD – sensible job team, we are only so proud, thanks. Bring it on in 2025.”
Peoples chairman Brian Gilda made the strategic decision in 2024 to expand the dealership’s portfolio to incorporate BYD and Chery’s twin brands, Omoda and Jaecoo. This shift marked the tip of Peoples’ decades-long exclusive partnership with Ford, which had been a cornerstone of the group’s identity for over 40 years.
Gilda’s decision to embrace Chinese automotive brands had been driven by Ford’s changing business model, including the discontinuation of high-volume models and the corporate’s deal with premium-priced EVs. These changes prompted Peoples to hunt alternatives that might meet the needs of value-conscious customers and bolster its latest automotive sales mix.
“We were a giant volume player with Ford and sought something comparable,” Gilda explained to AM. “When it became evident that such an option didn’t exist inside our traditional framework, we began exploring alternative avenues.”
Peoples launched with BYD in January 2024 and Jaecoo the next September. Gilda forecasts that Chinese brands could soon account for 20-40% of Peoples’ latest automotive sales mix, with the rollout of BYD, Omoda, and Jaecoo progressing across the group’s six dealerships. A dedicated showroom for Omoda and Jaecoo in Edinburgh is currently under construction.
Reflecting on the broader changes throughout the industry, Gilda told AM: “The extent of change we’re witnessing is generational, far surpassing anything I’ve seen in over 40 years. This can be a period of great change, but with the correct strategy and team, we’re well-positioned to succeed.”
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
