The Smyth family and the origins of Swansway Garages

Michael Smyth, today’s chairman, started the business with a petrol pump and repair shop in 1967.

He founded Radcliffe Retail Garage (RRG Group) becoming Europe’s largest Toyota dealer group before selling it to the Marubeni Corporation in 2000.

RRG also operated 15 forecourts, becoming Esso’s largest privately owned retailer until selling out to the oil firm in the 1990s. It also established Elton Vehicle Contracts contract hire firm which was sold to Abbey National in the same decade.

After the sale of RRG Michael and sons David, John and Peter started Swansway in 2003 when the family acquired LC Charles Volkswagen and Seat, Charles Audi (in Crewe) and two Ryland Audi sites in Stafford and Stoke. They determined the business would never be sold.

Swansway now has 15 dealerships, mainly through acquiring failing businesses. It holds franchises with Audi (3), Volkswagen (2), Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (4), Seat (1), Peugeot (1), Honda (3) and Land Rover (1).

It also has two bodyshops, two online-only brokerage services, Uchoose Contracts and Stable Vehicle Contracts and an online obsolete parts re-seller, Parts Depot.