| About Us |
Keith Motors (Christchurch) Ltd
By: Mr Richard Keith – Managing Director
58 Years of a Family Service
Mr Charles Keith Started and formed the company in 1951 and soon became the Austin dealer for Christchurch. During the years following and up to 1970, we became the largest Retail Austin dealer for the area, bearing in mind every street corner had a dealer.
We acquired MG, Wolseley franchises when we purchased the current site in Lyndhurst Road from Ted Gibson who had traded as ‘Gibsons Sports Cars’ since the 1930’s. Soon after the additional franchises of Morris and Vanden Plas were awarded.
In 1973 we felt a complete modern facility was required to meet the demands of the motorist of the day. The new development was completed in 1974 and Keith Motors was really on its way. British Leyland enjoyed 40% of the market until they made the drastic error of cutting dealerships with the idea of having fewer larger dealers and from 1970 to 1979 their market share dropped to 14% and subsequently saw their demise in 2005.
 
However, in 1980 we changed to Ford as a Retail dealer under Coopers of New Milton. By 1984 the role had reversed, we became the Main dealer and Coopers and Pennington Cross were our Retail dealers. That is not the end, the story goes on. During the recession in the early 90’s we bucked the trend of the day and purchased the adjacent sites, which now makes the site the premier used car display in the area. Still it goes on, we purchased the Parts department and Manor Road Motors (In New Milton) and as you know again these are a success.
Keith Motors has survived as one of the very few family businesses where others have perished. We can now boast of having a £1,500,000 (One and a half million pounds) per month turnover.
I would also like to state that I am proud of all my staff and I fully appreciate the hard efforts they apply to their respective roles within the business.
Richard Keith – Managing Director / Owner
I would like to conclude by introducing you to our Management Team who are at your service: -
Robin Webb – General Manager / Dealer Principal
Mike Conley – General Sales Manager
Colin Walker – Service Manager
Steve Meredith – Parts Manager
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