Motor dealer John Clark becomes the new name for MG in Perth, after £1 billion turnover announced
It is the second MG retailer for its growing portfolio. The new John Clark MG Perth location will complement the existing MG Dundee retailer, further strengthening the group’s presence in Dundee, Perth and the surrounding areas.
Located at 168 Dunkeld Road, Perth, the new showroom will offer a full range of services, including new and used car sales, aftersales and parts.
This strategic acquisition aligns with the group’s ongoing commitment to the MG brand, which has a proud heritage dating back to the 1920s. Today, MG offers a diverse line-up, from the modern MG4 EV hatchback to the popular MG HS SUV.
We are thrilled to be expanding our MG representation in Scotland through this strategic addition in Perth. This move reinforces the group’s dedication to serving the local community with quality vehicles and exceptional service.
John Clark Motor Group is a family-owned automotive business based in Scotland, offering new and used car and van sales as well as servicing and parts. Established in 1974, the group has grown to represent over 17 franchises and 38 locations, serving customers across the north-east of Scotland
2024 Trading update
John Clark Motor Group (JCMG), which has sites across North, East and Central Scotland, has filed accounts at Companies House for the year ended December 31st 2023.
They show it maintained positive momentum towards its key strategic objectives, as it crossed the £1 billion turnover threshold. Motor trade media specialist surveys saw the company again ranked as one of the top 20 groups in the UK, with net profits which represented a UK motor trade upper quarter return on sales % performance.
Despite significant adverse used car market pricing changes in the latter months, 2023 as a whole saw strong trading positives and the continuation of a robust positive cash at bank position.
This also allowed John Clark to convert its extended temporary cost of living support measures of 2022 into permanent wage reviews for our staff. Its investment in apprentice, colleague development and staff benefits programmes also continued, with average staff headcount rising to 1,355. And it saw an increase in retention rates to a then below industry average staff turnover ratio.
Reflecting on the past year Chris Clark, group MD, said: “I am clearly very happy to report further year on year gains continuing to build on our success of previous years. Our teams can once again celebrate playing their part in what has been another great year for the group, and we remain incredibly grateful for all the hard work and effort that each one of our colleagues puts into their roles. I know we have one of the best teams in the industry and I am very proud to be part of it.”
Continuing to focus on extending relationships with existing franchise partners included adding the MG franchise to its portfolio, initially in Dundee and now also in Perth.
Build works were completed at the Newbridge motor village in Edinburgh, which now operates as a state-of-the-art Volvo Cars dealership, said to be one of the largest in the UK. Redevelopment works were also completed in Aberdeen, to support the extension of the group’s representation of the Volvo Cars franchise to a third city in the East of Scotland market area. Its Volvo dealerships saw recognition of its 2023 performances in the Volvo Cars UK annual dealer network awards review, where its Dundee operations won the regional dealer of the year award and the division was confirmed as the overall UK dealer group of the year.
Its Jaguar Land Rover dealerships in Edinburgh, Dundee and Perth dealerships also again saw recognition of their performances via success within the manufacturer annual dealer network awards review, with the latter again winning the overall Land Rover dealer of the year award. As the highlight within a total of eight awards, the Pentland Motor Company was again confirmed as the Land Rover UK dealer group of the year award, for a third consecutive year.
Further expansion
With planning permission delays now resolved, the acquisition of a freehold property in Stirling has been agreed to support the relocation of a Land Rover franchise.
And it has acquired a site in Aberdeen to support 2024 expansion of a Skoda, Seat and Cupra dealership, as well as a further high-profile property in Dundee, which is currently being redeveloped to represent a range of Volkswagen Group franchises.
Looking ahead to 2024 Chris said: “Despite some notable headwinds and an again ever-changing market, we continue to deliver growth in what is now our 50th anniversary year. Whilst our mid-year results are in line with expectations, as many others across most industries will recognise, it is a year where we are working harder to sell more but earn less. That said, our financial resources remain strong, well balanced, and sufficient to support the business today and allow growth in the future as we actively pursue several acquisition opportunities.”
Visit the John Clark website here.