Vantage Motor Group has appointed John Beard as Hyundai business specialist to lead the growth of the brand in the North West fleet market.

Beard (pictured) joins Vantage with 15 years of sales' experience after working in various roles with Fiat, Citroen, Kia and Hyundai. 

He will be responsible for introducing the Hyundai brand to businesses in Manchester and the North West, forming relationships with them and familiarising them with Vantage Hyundai dealerships in Oldham, Manchester, Preston and Stockport.

Beard will be based at Vantage Hyundai Stockport, the first Hyundai dealership in the UK to rollout the manufacturer’s new corporate identity in 2014, part of the brand’s plan to sell 100,000 cars in the UK within the next two to three years.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to building on existing relationships with businesses in the local area, forming new ones, and advising them on what Hyundai can offer. The Vantage team has been incredibly welcoming and great to work with. This is a very exciting time to join Vantage as its relationship with Hyundai strengthens.”

Mark Robinson, managing director of Vantage Motor Group, said: “John has significant experience in the sales industry as well as strong local knowledge, and so I’m confident that he will be able to advise local businesses and communities on what Vantage and Hyundai can bring them. 

“At Vantage we have a passion to please, and I’m sure that John will be an asset to the company as he embraces our customer ethos.”

Vantage Motor Group was founded in Harrogate, North Yorkshire in 2003. The Group now has 21 dealerships across Northern England and the West Midlands representing Toyota, Kia, Citroen, Honda, Hyundai, Škoda, and Lexus. Turnover to the end of 2014 was £174 million.