Hendy Group Celebrates 115 Years Representing Ford in Britain

The Hendy Group is marking an incredible milestone, 115 years since becoming Ford’s first official retailer in Britain, celebrating more than a century of motoring history, innovation, and family enterprise along the South Coast.

The partnership between Hendy and Ford began in Southampton in 1910, when local businessman Percy Hendy first met Henry Ford at the docks following the arrival of the revolutionary Model T. Their meeting sparked an agreement to sell Ford cars from Hendy’s East Street premises, establishing one of the longest-running automotive partnerships in the UK.

As Ford’s popularity soared, Hendy expanded into new sites across the region, including Vincents Walk, Pound Tree Road, Chandlers Ford, and Boscombe in Bournemouth. During the Second World War, Hendy’s Southampton and Chandler’s Ford sites played a vital part in the war effort, assembling Spitfire aircraft that became icons of British engineering.

Over the decades, Hendy has continued to evolve alongside the automotive industry. Today, the family-run business operates eight Ford dealerships across Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, and West Sussex, representing 25 vehicle manufacturers from more than 60 locations. Sixth-generation members of the Hendy family are already part of the business, ensuring the company’s proud heritage continues into the future.

Employing over 1,500 people, the Hendy Group remains a cornerstone of the regional economy, providing careers, apprenticeships, and customer service rooted in community values. As the company looks ahead to a new era of electrified and sustainable mobility, it continues to honour the legacy that began on the Southampton docks more than a century ago.

www.hendy.co.uk