A former Mazda UK national sales manager has bought his own Mazda dealership.

Floyd Timms’ acquisition of Lodge Garage in Aylesbury marks the first time an employee has set up their own Mazda dealership as an individual.

The dealership was bought from owners who, according to Timms, “had failed to embrace modern retailing”.

Timms had worked for Mazda UK for 13 years and led its team of business managers since 2004. He had previously worked for Jeep and specialised in used car retail at various dealerships in the ’90s.

He said: “Mazda probably made me jump through a few more hoops than an outsider to secure the franchise, but I always felt that if the right opportunity came along I would go back into retail.”

Lodge Garage sold 62 new and 12 used cars in September, the first month under Timms. Previously its record monthly total was 40 registrations.

He said: “We want to strengthen the used car business at the site and switch to an all-makes policy.”