Omoda, the Chinese car brand starting new car sales in the UK in 2024, has hired Matthew Banks as its dealer network development manager for the UK.
Banks left Hyundai after 10 years at the South Korean carmaker to join Omoda, which is rapidly setting up a UK sales company and recruiting franchisees ready to sell its petrol and electric cars from spring 2024.
In his decade with Hyundai Banks held several management roles focused on dealer standards, and prior to that he worked with Marshall Motor Group.
In LinkedIn posts Banks said he had enjoyed “an amazing 10 years” being part of Hyundai, transforming from budget-motoring to premium multi-award winning electrified vehicles, but he felt it was time for new challenges.
He added: “I’m proud to be joining Omoda UK today as network development manager. We’re establishing a UK retail network in readiness for the launch of an exciting new range of ICE and BEV vehicles. Watch this space!”
Omoda, which is part of Chery Group, China’s largest car exporter, has ambitions to establish a 50-strong dealer network ahead of the UK launch, which will be led by the arrival of the Omoda 5 mid-size SUV
Omoda is headed in the UK by country manager Victor Zhang who, along with brand manager Wenlong Liu, has been tasked with building up the UK’s national sales company.
Omoda brand manager Wenlong Liu told AM group editor Stephen Briers earlier this year that the company decided against selling cars in the UK and Europe badged as Chery, because it is “too traditional”.
Instead, Omoda (O comes from Oxygen and Moda from modern) will enable it to build a “futuristic brand for customers”.
As editor, Tim is responsible for the media content, planning and production of AM’s multiple channels (AM print and digital magazines, website, social media and contributing to our events planning). He interviews and writes about as many franchised dealer groups and UK divisions of motor manufacturers as possible, to explore the issues facing UK motor retail and understand what solutions dealers and suppliers are using to overcome these.
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