About Martins

The Martins family have been offering Hampshire motorists a personal service since before the turn of the century when Robert Martin established his Fly-Cab business in Winchester.

Around 1910 they moved to The Broadway in Winchester where they operated a motorcycle franchise and sold used cars before starting a Channel Islands Airline and Car Hire business.

In the 1960’s they operated Martins Self Drive from the offices above Lloyds Bank in the High Street, Winchester and in the early 1970’s they ran Chandlers Ford Motors from School Lane, Chandlers Ford.

Further Expansion

In 1979 Martins opened their first Volkswagen dealership in Andover. This was followed in 1981 by another Volkswagen dealership in Basingstoke, the location of their Head Office.

Some 10 years later in 1991 they opened a Rover and Nissan dealership in Winchester, just off junction 9 of the M3 motorway.   

Recent History  

2006  - Moved the Renault dealership into the previous Audi premises in Basingstoke.  

2006 - Sold the Audi Basingstoke dealership 

2006 - Introduced Nissan after sales service in Andover

2005 - Opened a VW after sales dealership in Farnham 

2005 - Introduced Renault after sales service in Andover.

2005 - Changed the Winchester dealership from MG Rover to Renault.

2005 - Opened a VW dealership in Camberley 

2005 - Opened a Renault dealership in Basingstoke 

2004 – Refurbished the Andover Volkswagen dealership premises.  

2000 - Refurbished the Basingstoke Volkswagen dealership premises.  

1999 - Built a state of the art Audi New & Used Cars Centre adjacent to the Volkswagen franchise in Basingstoke.  

Recent Awards

2005 - Volkswagen Diamond Pin recognition award winners for dedication to the VW brand levels of excellence.

Five time winners of the Volkswagen Gold Pin recognition award for exceptional VW dealerships.

1990 & 1991 - Volkswagen Blue Riband Dealer of Excellence Awards

2006 Awards

2006 - Runner Up - VW Van Centre of the Year Award