Ian Wilson, Dealer Recruitment Manager, Ssangyong
SsangYong Motors UK has strengthened its dealer franchising team with the appointment of Ian Wilson as Dealer Recruitment Manager. Ian will be based in Scotland however will be responsible for securing new partners nationally with immediate effect.
Wilson, who has worked in the motor industry for all of his working life, started his career in the retail sector, changing direction to work for vehicle manufacturer Kia in 1989. He started with Kia as regional manager for the East Midlands when the brand was being prepared for launch by its then UK distributor, MCL Group. Fast forward 28-years, having held a variety of dealer-facing roles at Kia, Ian left his concluding position as general manager of dealer development to spend more time at home, in Scotland, with his family.
Speaking of his new role, Wilson said: “I’m looking forward to supporting growth within the network in the next phase of SsangYong’s development in the UK, and building upon the excellent relationships they already have with its dealer partners. There is gratification in seeing a brand such as SsangYong evolve, and I’m delighted to be part of that journey.“
SsangYong, who has introduced several new dealers already in 2019, is actively looking for new partners to represent the brand in several open points across the UK. Its’ proposition is unique and endeavors to change how prospects view operating a new vehicle franchise by offering no up-front fees, with zero-cost signage, special tools and computer diagnostics.
Dave Rose, head of franchising for SsangYong Motors UK, explains; “We want to make it easy for dealers to join our franchise, so we’ve removed any barriers to ensure representing our brand is appealing. Rose continued; “It’s a very busy and exciting time for us and we’re delighted that Ian has joined the team. His frontline dealer experience along with his manufacturer experience will be invaluable to us as we develop and grow our dealer network in the UK.”
