About Premier Motors
Main Ford Dealer, Transit Centre, MG Dealer, Van Centre Servicing, Accident Repair Centre and Car & Van Hire
Founded on the Isle of Wight in 1852 and serving as a Main Ford Dealer since 1923, Premier Motors is a name you can trust for sales, service, repair, and rental.
For nearly 40 years, many have known us simply as Premier Ford, but our full name has been Premier Motors (Solent) Ltd since January 1st, 1980, when we rebranded from Frank Cheverton Motors.
With over 160 years of automotive expertise, we take pride in offering a comprehensive range of motoring services from our Newport showrooms.
- New Ford & MG and Used Car Sales
- New & Used Van Sales
- Car, Van, Campervan Servicing & Repair
- MOT Test Centre
- BSi Accredited Accident Repair Centre
- Car and Van Hire
Get your Motors running…
Once more, Premier Motors is the sole occupier of the Riverway showroom and workshops. With an additional larger workshop, and a dedicated team of technicians working on commercial vehicles to keep Island businesses on the road. Premier Van Centre is now the Island’s dedicated commercial vehicle specialist for sales and servicing.
As the only Ford dealer on the Island, Premier Motors proudly offers the latest Ford cars and vans, including hybrid and fully electric models. Our commitment goes beyond sales; Premier Motors also provides financing options, servicing, repairs, and genuine Ford parts to ensure all customers receive the best ongoing support.
In 2021, Premier Motors began trading as an MG dealer, making it a multi-franchise business for the first time in decades. With the new facility, Premier MG quickly became the new home for MG’s range of value-for-money vehicles on the Island.
In the beginning….
The Cheverton family business began in 1852, when cabinet maker William Cheverton established a coach-building and repair business. Known for exceptional craftsmanship, the Cheverton name gained prestige, even receiving orders to build 17 carriages for Queen Victoria.
In 1905, under the leadership of Frank Cheverton, William’s grandson, the company expanded into the motor vehicle industry. By 1923, it had become the Isle of Wight’s Main Ford Dealer for cars and tractors.
From there, the business continued to grow, adding Austin and Rover franchises, specialist coachbuilding, repairs, tyres, machine work, car hire, and even an agricultural machinery department supplying tractors and milking machines.
By 1952, Frank Cheverton’s premises spanned nearly an acre in the heart of Newport, employing over 100 staff and cementing its reputation as a key player in the Isle of Wight’s automotive industry.
In the present tense…
In recent years Premier Motors has established itself as a multi-award-winning dealership.
In 2019, Premier Ford was named one of the UK’s Best Dealerships To Work For, for the third year in a row.
The survey and awards programme was designed to identify, recognise and reward the best automotive dealerships to work for in the United Kingdom, benefiting the area's economy, workforce and businesses.
Of more than 45 registered dealerships, Premier Ford was one of 11 that passed the rigorous employer and staff engagement surveys by Best Companies Group to win the right to display the AM Best UK Dealerships To Work For accreditation
Best Dealerships was a celebration of elite employers in the automotive franchised dealer industry who have proven that they know what it takes to create an environment where people love to come to work.
The aim of the programme is to raise the bar among industry employers, creating excellence and employee engagement that will attract talented people for years to come.
Premier Ford was recognised for providing an outstanding workplace environment that engages its staff and allows them to flourish.
The company is committed to ensuring its employees are motivated and happy through a range of benefits, and promotes a positive workplace culture.
Multiple Ford Chairman’s Awards
Premier Motors achieved remarkable success, securing five prestigious Ford Chairman’s Awards in 2007, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
This award, limited to the top 30 dealers in the UK, recognises dealers that deliver the highest standards of customer satisfaction, quality and outstanding dealer performances across sales and service.