A brief history of Harwoods

Powering Family Adventures

Remaining fiercely independent in a market dominated by large Plcs, Harwoods has been able to offer customers unrivalled levels of care from both a sales and aftersales perspective. From our state-of-the-art showrooms, to our impressive offering of prestigious brands - including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, McLaren, Volvo and BMW - and our range of dealerships across the South of England, we will be able to meet your motoring needs. With strong links with the local communities forged over a number of years, the company has also built up a proud reputation for its support of charities, schools and fundraising initiatives.

Our Heritage

Chairman Guy Harwood has made sure staff will always be at the forefront of the business and the company looks to promote from within with many of the team enjoying long careers at Harwoods. We are proud of our manufacturers, our customers, our staff and our long list of exclusive affinity partners that now help us create the Harwoods Brand. We currently work with Goodwood Estates including the World Famous Motor Circuit, Goodwood Hotel and Spa, Goodwood House and The Kennels. We have luxury hotel partners such as South Lodge and its Masterchef winning Kitchens, Cowdray Estate is the home of Polo and hosts the Gold Cup every year. With more to name we could talk all day but rest assured, Harwoods only Partner with companies that share our ethos of the customer coming first, on time and every time.

1931

Harwoods established by Wally Harwood, father of the present Chairman, Guy Harwood, and based at London Road, Pulborough.

1939-1945

Harwoods manufacture munitions at its Pulborough site, for the duration of World War II. The motor business continues to expand after 1945.

Pre-1965

Guy Harwood began riding out for Ryan Price at Findon at the age of 18, Guy would go on to win 40 point to point winners and 14 National Hunt Races. Over the next few years he started working as a pupil assistant trainer to Bryan Marshall when he was 21 and five years later in 1965 he commenced training under permit.

1965

The present Harwoods head office site at London Road is purchased and developed. It originally consisted of a bicycle repair shop and just three petrol pumps. Guy Harwood purchases Coombelands Farm which at the time was an arable and dairy farm. Guy Harwood soon established this into Coombelands Racing Stables which would become a state of the art training complex and succeeded in attracting some of the finest horses and biggest owners in the world. Guy went on to train over 1600 winners including 30 group 1 winners and the great Dancing Brave.

1989

The Land Rover Centre at Pulborough is redeveloped to cater for the ever increasing range of models.

1989

Guy Harwood joins the garage business full time. The size and profile of the Group is increased as is the investment and management structure.

1997

Jaguar relocates from Pulborough to a new state of the art facility at Terminus Road, Chichester.

2002

Harwoods are awarded the Aston Martin franchise, to operate alongside Jaguar at Terminus Road, Chichester.

2009

Basingstoke moves to a purpose built site in the Houndmills Plaza to home Jaguar and Land Rover along with Manufacturer Servicing for BMW, Mini, Subaru & Isuzu.

2015

A new vision for Harwoods with a 2020 plan in place and the launch of our first fully dynamic website to compliment further the brands we represent.

2017

January – Harwoods open new Arch concept for Jaguar Land Rover Crawley. The new site offers a number of significant customer improvements including drive through service area, increased car parking, more used cars and a spacious, welcoming customer area including a barista bar with refreshments available throughout the day.

2018

Harwoods acquired Land Rover in 2005 and in 2018 opened the arch site Edenbridge which became the Group’s third Land Rover franchise. We like to make sure that our customers are treated with the upmost satisfaction when they visit our Edenbridge site.

2018

Archie Harwood (son of Guy Harwood) appointed as Chief Executive. Omni-channel sales and marketing digital initiatives Progressive website launch Franchise portfolio expansion.

2019

Harwoods launches the new McLaren franchise, with the inspiring state-of-the-art showroom set in the truly unique New Forest location. Customers benefit from the total McLaren experience, encompassing sales (including pre-owned) and aftersales services, as well as exclusive McLaren customer experience events.

2019

Harwoods purchase Crawley Audi. The impressive new showroom space is the fourth Audi franchise for Harwoods. Designed for you at Maidenbower Business Park, Crawley, the new branch is a state-of-the-art showroom for New and Approved Used Vehicles, with facilities to take bookings for services, MOTs and any other expert care.

2020

Developments during 2020 include the new service site at Audi Portsmouth, with Jaguar Brighton and Land Rover Lewes merging into our Lewes location whilst construction of the exciting brand new Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Brighton is completed.

2021

Portsmouth Truck and Van centre opened in Hampshire, servicing all makes and models of trucks and vans. Harwoods Volvo launched a new dealership in Crawley and Volvo Croydon and then part of our stand alone Jaguar Land Rover was converted into an after sales centre in Croydon to a Volvo aftersales outlet, designed to the latest Volvo Corporate Identity.

90 Years of Harwoods Group

Our established family business, with a reputation for high standards, was founded in 1931– so we are true experts in our field. Read what makes Harwoods Group so special.

  • Warranty

    Expert cover, with no hidden costs, to provide you with added protection, whenever you need it.

  • Trusted Quality

    Every car has been checked and approved by us, following a 120+ point inspection.

  • Nationwide Delivery

    Buy today, drive tomorrow. We offer a nationwide delivery service and offer complimentary delivery for the first 30 miles.

  • Tailored Service

    Here to help, advise, support, and answer your questions, whenever you need us.