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Mike Wood, the
founder of Used Car Derby, started his working life as an
apprentice mechanic in 1959 working for his uncle at Kerry’s
Garage in Smalley, Derbyshire.
In 1962, Mike moved to Godfrey Street Motors, Heanor,
Derbyshire, as a fully trained technician and after just 14
days, the proprietor asked Mike to become the Workshop
Foreman, which he did for 3 years until the business
relocated to Raynesway, Derby. Mike was then made the
Service Manager and the company took on the Toyota and Honda
franchises. He quickly learnt the organisational and
management skill to control 10 mechanics in a large busy
workshop. The skills learnt included the preparation of used
cars for numerous Used Car Dealers in the Derby and
Derbyshire area.
In 1970, Mike seized the opportunity to become a Director of
Woodford Cars in Mickleover, Derby. As this moment in time
Woodford was the franchise holder for Saab and Mazda. Whilst
at Woodford, Mike enhanced most significantly the company’s
reputation in Derby and Derbyshire as a major player in the
used car market.
In 1982 Mike left the Woodford Motor Company in order to set
up the Beechdale Motor Group in Nottingham. The company
became highly successful and a potted history is recorded in
the next paragraph.
The company commenced trading with Saab in September of that
year from Beechdale Road in Nottingham. In 1984, a second
Nottingham property was purchased on Talbot Street, which
became the home of initially Fiat and then later Saab, and
in 1993, the Chrysler Jeep Franchise was added at Beechdale
Road. 1997 saw the next major development, with the
acquisition of the Saab franchise in Derby. Subaru Isuzu was
added in Derby during late 1998. In October 2000, the
company relocated both its Nottingham operations to a superb
3-acre site on Lenton Lane, Nottingham, where Subaru Isuzu
then joined them. In 2001, the Lenton Lane site was under
further development and became Quality Used Car Dealers with
over 70 cars on display in a huge showroom.
In 2004, Mike Wood took a well earned retirement, and in
order to facilitate a smooth transition the Nottingham
organisation was sold and the Derby Saab Dealership was past
into the capable hands of Mike’s sons John and Robert, with
the new name of Beechwood (Derby) Ltd. John and Robert have
continued to grow the company and in order to specialise in
the selling of used cars a sister company ‘Used Cars Derby’
was set up.
Our name and our manufacturer’s logo are well known for the
various promotions and sponsorships in the Derby /
Derbyshire area.
On a national
level Beechwood (Derby) Limited have been proud sponsors of
the Euro Pro Golf Tour, and have been actively involved to a
high level in the sponsorship and active participation in
Motor Sport, most notably international rallying.
Used Cars Derby has a massive and unique personal experience
in the Used Car motor trade. Mike has a personal involvement
of nearly fifty years; John and Robert have continued
experience of over 40 years. This experience enables us to
claim to be premium Used Car Dealers and most importantly we
provide a high quality customer service and an ethical
approach which is beyond reproach.
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