Car dealer in South Cheshire retires after 54 years service

A well-known motor dealer boss in South Cheshire is retiring after a mammoth 54 years on the road!

Andy Barnes is head of business at Crewe SEAT, part of family owned Swansway Group, and is a popular member of the motor trade society.

As a schoolboy, Andy earned extra money by washing cars at a local used car dealership, and learning valuable lessons about how the presentation of vehicles significantly adds to their appeal.

He capitalised on his motor trade contacts and began making a living “turning spanners”.

He watched the activities of a dapper sales executive, with his black velvet jacket and his impressive car.

When the salesman went on holiday, Andy offered to fill his slot, telling his boss “I can do that!”

Andy excelled as a used car salesperson in Chester, and he soon realised what a good living he could make selling cars.

He remembers a day in 1974 when he received over £200 in his “little brown envelope” as his weekly wage.

And he vividly recalls a gorgeous e-Type Jaguar and Daimler Dart he sold to achieve it.

He joined a Ford franchise that specialised in fleet vehicles in the Ellesmere Port area.

By 1977 Andy was in Clapham selling cars for Datsun (now Nissan).

In addition to selling cars he oversaw the petrol station attached to the dealership.

Promotions and advancements followed, including postings as Group Sales Manager in a family business representing Fiat, Mazda and Austin Rover and a General Manager position with Rover, before he returned to the North West in the 1980s.

He met Michael Smyth, now Swansway Group Chairman, and Andy worked for him as a Sales Manager for RRG in Bury.

This was also when he first met the now Swansway Group Directors, as John Smyth was a trainee Sales Executive, David Smyth managed all the petrol stations and Peter Smyth was at the helm at Toyota Bolton.

Andy’s path diverged from the Smyth family for a while, but by 2010 Swansway Group’s Crewe SEAT dealership was recruiting for a Sales Manager.

Andy said: “I went to the interview in the boardroom, with all the Smyth brothers, and we had a lovely time reminiscing about the old days, and catching up together.

“And I left that interview thinking I have no idea whether I have got that job or not.

“But as I drove away, I got a phone call, and the answer was a yes! And so my fantastic time at Crewe SEAT began.”

For the launch of the SEAT Ibiza, he imported 6 tonnes of sand into the dealership, to create Crewe SEAT’s very own beach.

He has undertaken everything from face painting events to golden ticket extravaganzas.

Andy added: “SEAT make really impressive, accessible vehicles.

“Over the 11 years I have been at Crewe SEAT we have gone from selling 200 cars a year, to over 1,100 cars per year, without ever expanding our footprint.

“The SEAT UK team are brilliant to work with too. I can pick up the phone to the Head of SEAT and have a real conversation. And this warm attitude ripples right down through all the senior team members.

“I will miss the people tremendously. They are more than colleagues. When you work with people for such a long time, it has to be fun.

“And I run a very open dealership, where you do get to know the teams and share a part of their lives.”

John Smyth, Swansway Group Director, said: “We have very much enjoyed our long-standing working relationship with Andy that has brought such success for us all.

“Andy’s personal brand of ambition and dedication, combined with his warmth and enthusiasm will be very much missed by all those who had the pleasure of working with him.”