Vantage Motor Group has appointed a Hyundai business specialist to lead the growth of the brand in the north west fleet market.

John Beard joins Vantage with 15 years of sales experience after working in various roles with Fiat, Citroen, Kia and Hyundai.

He will be responsible for introducing the Hyundai brand to businesses across Manchester and the north west, forming relationships with them and familiarising them with their local Vantage Hyundai dealerships in Oldham, Manchester, Preston and Stockport.

Beard will be based at Vantage Hyundai Stockport, the first Hyundai dealership in the UK to rollout the manufacturer’s new corporate identity in 2014, part of the brand’s plan to sell 100,000 cars in the UK within the next two to three years.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to building on existing relationships with businesses in the local area, forming new ones, and advising them on what Hyundai can offer."

Mark Robinson, managing director of Vantage Motor Group, said: “John has significant experience in the sales industry as well as strong local knowledge, and so I’m confident that he will be able to advise local businesses and communities on what Vantage and Hyundai can bring them."

Vantage Motor Group was founded in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in 2003. The group now has 21 dealerships across northern England and the West Midlands representing Toyota, Kia, Citroen, Honda, Hyundai, ŠKODA, and Lexus. Turnover to the end of 2014 was £174m.