Why Chariots Specialist Cars Won BYD's First UK Retailer of the Year Award

Family-Run Dealer Tops BYD's Inaugural UK Awards

Chariots Specialist Cars has been named the overall UK Retailer of the Year at BYD's inaugural Dealer Awards, marking a significant achievement for the family-run business as the Chinese electric vehicle brand expands its retail footprint across Britain.

The awards ceremony, held at the Telford International Centre, was designed to celebrate excellence within BYD's growing UK network. Awards were presented for both front-of-house and aftersales operations, highlighting the importance of a complete customer journey.

Recognising Excellence Across the Board

While Grainger Motor Group also performed strongly, winning Retailer Group of the Year and Aftersales Retailer of the Year, it was Chariots that secured the top prize. The coveted UK Retailer of the Year award was given to the group that demonstrated the highest standards across multiple areas, including customer experience, brand representation, and overall sales performance.

The award was formally presented to Chariots by BYD UK's country manager, Bono Ge, and deputy country manager, Steve Beattie, alongside sporting legend Jason Robinson OBE.

A Pivotal Moment for Chariots

Reacting to the win, Chariots Managing Director, Franco Santoro, said: 'We are honoured to receive the BYD UK Dealer of the Year award for 2026. This achievement reflects the dedication and professionalism of the entire team, whose commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and championing the BYD brand has been outstanding.'

The award comes at a time of significant growth for the dealer group. It was recently reported that Chariots has added a second BYD site to its network, having acquired the former site of Rugby Suzuki in Warwickshire. This new showroom joins the firm's existing location in Kettering, strengthening its presence in the Midlands.

A spokesman for the group described this as a 'pivotal moment for the business', noting that the expansion 'enhances their capacity to serve a rapidly growing customer base' for the BYD brand.

The group also extended its thanks to BYD for their partnership and acknowledged Pav Panesar at Knight Frank, whose expertise was instrumental in the recent dealership acquisition. This win positions Chariots Specialist Cars as a leading partner for one of the most prominent new electric vehicle brands entering the UK market.