The new boss of one of Harrogate’s most successful motor businesses knows just how good his cars are – he rally races in one!
Charlie Binns joined Sytner Volkswagen Harrogate as dealer principal in January and has already seen his team enjoy one of their best March registration months ever.
Away from the showroom, he is brand loyal as he drives a rally-prepared Volkswagen Polo in motoring club rally competitions across the region.
The 43-year-old from North Yorkshire said: “My hobby means I can honestly tell customers how the car performs in extreme conditions. And it performs very well!
“But then I am lucky to be surrounded by fantastic models and great offers. It all helps to create a buoyant business and things are looking very positive for our dealership.
“I joined Sytner in January after eight years with another Volkswagen dealership because I was ready to take on the challenge of a bigger retailer with more staff.
“My previous site was ranked as one of Volkswagen’s top ten businesses for the past five years and I aim to deliver similar success at Harrogate.”
Father of two Charlie has been in the motor industry since he was just 16, having started ‘on the spanners’. Two years later he switched to a junior salesman’s role and never looked back.
“I was never a uni boy, and couldn’t wait to start working,” said Charlie. “I’m proof that not being afraid to get your hands dirty and having ambition can really pay off, if you are prepared to work hard.”
Charlie’s dedication was rewarded in 2011 with a rare and coveted Volkswagen Gold Pin, the brand’s recognition of outstanding commitment and achievement.
Now at Harrogate, Charlie will be out and about meeting customers and other local businesses as Sytner Volkswagen supports Macmillan Takeover Day on April 12th.
He said: “We have a plan to travel around in an open-top Beetle and help the community raise £108,000 to fund a Macmillan benefits advisor who will help local people dealing with the make a difference to the lives of local people dealing with cancer.
“As a successful business, we feel we have a responsibility to support community projects like this, so I am looking forward to getting out and making a lot of money for this worthy cause.”
Sytner Volkswagen Harrogate, on St James Retail Park, Knaresborough, offers a full range of new and approved used car sales as well as comprehensive after-sales servicing using genuine Volkswagen parts.
For more information contact 01423 202818 or visit www.sytner.co.uk/volkswagen/harrogate