Robert Martin started his fly-cab business in Winchester more than 100 years ago. These two-three passenger horse-drawn vehicles were the first step in the Martin family’s aim to offer Hampshire motorists a first-class service, from showroom through to an aftersales centre. We then moved to The Broadway in central Winchester around 1910 where we operated a motorcycle franchise and sold used cars. Not long after that, a car hire business was established.

1900s

During the swinging 60s we ran Martins Self Drive, and then from the early 1970s, we opened Chandler’s Ford Motors in School Lane, Chandler’s Ford. Our first Volkswagen dealership was opened in Andover in 1979 and just three years later we added another Volkswagen showroom to the rapidly-expanding business.

1960s & 70s

1991

Rover and Nissan were added to our portfolio, with dealerships opening in Winchester. The doors to our state-of-the-art Audi showroom, adjacent to the Volkswagen franchise in Basingstoke, were opened in 1999.

1990s

2005

It was a landmark year for Martins as we opened our first Renault dealership in Basingstoke and launched a new Volkswagen showroom and aftersales service in Camberley. Additionally, we transformed our Winchester showroom from MG Rover to Renault, marking a significant step in our expansion.

2005–2006

During this period, we broadened our offerings by introducing Nissan and Renault aftersales services in Andover and establishing a dedicated Volkswagen aftersales dealership in Farnham, further strengthening our commitment to customer care and support.

2000s

2016

We celebrated 10 years since taking over our Volkswagen Camberley site by completing a major redevelopment. The refurbishment allowed us to showcase a broader selection of Volkswagen’s expanding range and introduced the latest digital technology to the showroom, enhancing the customer experience.

2018

We proudly acquired the prestigious Alpine franchise at our Winchester location, adding a new dimension to our sports and luxury offering. This milestone coincided with a full showroom refurbishment for both Nissan and Renault, transforming the site into a state-of-the-art facility for sales and service operations.

2019

We expanded into Berkshire with the acquisition of our Renault Reading site, bringing the brand back to the area. Following a complete refurbishment, the dealership now provides exceptional sales and aftersales services, setting new standards for customer satisfaction.

2010s

2021

We obtained the Škoda Authorised Repairer status, enhancing our multi-franchise site in Andover.

2022

Our investment into the future of Martins and our customers continues as we have now become 1 of 30 Volkswagen Electric Vehicle battery competence centres (BCC) in the country, High levels of training and tooling to operate this section of the business was required. Alongside the preparation to become a BCC we also carried out a full redesign of our Body shop facility.

2023

We undertook a complete rebuild of our Volkswagen dealership showroom in Andover, creating a modern and customer-focused environment.

2024

We celebrated the opening of a brand-new OMODA & JAECOO showroom in Winchester, marking another milestone in our growth and commitment to offering diverse automotive options.

2020s