About Harwoods Group

Harwoods Group History

1933-39 The original garage (now a Modern Fiat Showroom) was completed in 1933 and opened with one Buick Taxi, 2 Electric petrol pumps (the first on the Island) and a junior mechanic. In 1937 we became Ford Dealers selling about 6 new cars a year.

1939-45 During the war years the garage was one of three sites taken over by the Black Watch and Jersey Regiments. Mr Harwood worked for continuous years of nightshift for Samual Whites and still managed to run the taxi and repair business.

1945-58 After the war it seemed quite likely that in the future extra space would be needed and when the Gravel Pit adjacent to the garage became available, the 3.5 acre site was purchased. This was a far sighted decision and is still paying dividends.

1959-76 In 1959 we built the existing showroom and in 1960, in addition to the Ford franchise, we took on Renault and Singer (part of the Rootes group). In 1966 we became franchised dealers for Rover and Land Rover. By this time we had become overstretched in workshop and MOT capacity.

1976-88 In 1976 Stephen Harwood who had worked full time for the company since 1961 became Dealer Principal, it was at his instigation that we built to our own specifications a modern, high tech, 12 bay workshop to the rear of the Renault showroom. The original workshop was converted to a bodyshop. At the time of building the new workshops we installed our first automatic car wash. During this period the manufacturers became more demanding and it was becoming difficult to remain multi-franchised. So Renault became the dominant franchise.

1989-95 In 1989 a totally new company was formed with many of the staff members becoming Shareholders. Although the share structure has changed this same company continues to run the business today.