Delyth Thomas has been promoted to dealer principal at Mitsubishi Specialist Cars, in Cwmbach, Wales.

Previously employed as general manager at the dealership, Delyth said: “I’ve been in the motor trade for 20 years but always in used cars, so this has been a totally different experience with regard to how Mitsubishi like to operate, but I’ve found it very interesting and enjoyable.

“When we sold used cars the customer would come to the garage, decide to buy it and drive away. However, with new we see customers several times, as we have to order their specific vehicle.

"We also find that we have to have more in-depth product knowledge of the new vehicles, especially with the new Outlander PHEV. Now that’s a very interesting vehicle to drive! I’m very impressed with it. It is so quiet that everything else I drive appears noisy. It’s the perfect car for me as I live nearby and will therefore never need to put petrol in again,” Delyth said.

And, she was full of praise for area managers, Trevor Schindler and Paul Alexander, for their support as she found her feet. “They’ve both been really, really helpful.

“I’ve learnt a lot from them. I now feel as if I know which areas I need to concentrate on for us to have a happy and profitable business.”

Expansion is Delyth’s main hope for the future of the Canal Road dealership. “We’ve got a huge property and I’d love to think we could develop it. I’d like to bring the showroom upstairs, accessing it with a ramp. We’ve got 10,000 square feet upstairs to utilise. But you have to expand slowly. There’s no point putting the wall up if you haven’t put the foundations in.”

The dealership has also recruited Odette Jones as the new servicing, warranties and workshop manager, and Kristan Tyler as Sales Manager, to work alongside Wayne Jones on sales. “We currently have a team of six people and are looking to employ a further two,” said Delyth.