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Founded in 1981 by Peter Cooper, the Peter Cooper Motor Group (PCMG) has continually expanded and, in 2021, proudly celebrated 40 years in business. Peter Cooper opened the doors to his first car showroom in Hedge End, Southampton, with a vision to create a company built on hiring the best local talent, delivering an unparalleled level of customer care. This commitment quickly made the company a well-known name in Southampton, with the roundabout outside the showroom becoming a local landmark affectionately known as ‘Coopers Roundabout.’ Peter’s vision evolved into a legacy family-run business when his son, Darren Cooper, took on the role of Managing Director in 2006 at the age of 31. At that time, the group comprised three Volkswagen franchises, a Body Repair Centre, and approximately 100 staff.
By 2022, the Peter Cooper Motor Group had grown to nearly 270 employees and over 50,000 loyal customers. The group now operates 23 successful businesses across nine locations, from Shirley Southampton and Hedge End in Hampshire, to Chichester and Horsham in West Sussex. These include four Volkswagen franchised showrooms, two Prestige Cars by Peter Cooper Used Car showrooms, three Bosch Service centres for vehicles of all makes and models, Peter Cooper Modifications for vehicle enhancements, Peter Cooper Leasing, a fully approved Volkswagen Audi Group Paint and Body CentrE, Kia Hedge End and our newest additions Jeep in Horsham and XPENG in West End, Southampton.
In 2021, the group launched MyEVCP, a business dedicated to electric vehicle charging point installations for homes and businesses throughout the South region. The following year, PCMG introduced a Volkswagen Battery Care Centre—one of only a few in the country accredited to diagnose, maintain, and replace high-voltage batteries used in all-electric vehicles. In June 2023, MyTrustedElectrical (formerly MyEVCP) was introduced, now offering a wider range of electrical services to businesses and homeowners across Hampshire and neighbouring counties.
In June 2023, the group acquired Peter Cooper Kia (formerly Viking Garages Kia), expanding its presence in Dorset, Hampshire, and West Sussex. This acquisition complements the existing portfolio, which includes four Volkswagen franchises, two Prestige Cars sites, two All Makes Bosch Service Centres, a Bodyshop, Peter Cooper Leasing, and Peter Cooper Modifications. It also introduced Peter Cooper Kia for new and used car sales, as well as an authorised Kia service centre.
The Peter Cooper Motor Group, a family business established in 1981, has built a strong reputation for exceptional customer service and a comprehensive range of quality vehicles and automotive services. The group’s expertise and dedication align seamlessly with Viking Garage’s (now Peter Cooper Kia) commitment to delivering outstanding products and services, further emphasizing its ethos as a family-run enterprise.
As of 2024, Peter Cooper Motor Group has welcomed the Chinese manufacturer Chery, incorporating their brands Omoda and Jaecoo into the Chichester and Shirley Volkswagen dealerships as dual showrooms, offering new car sales and authorized servicing for these brands.
In 2025, we are proud to welcome Jeep to our dealership family. Located at our Horsham dealership, the new Jeep franchise will provide a full suite of services, including new and used vehicle sales and authorised Jeep servicing. We’re excited to bring the iconic Jeep brand to our customers, delivering the quality and care they’ve come to expect from us, the Peter Cooper Motor Group.
Additionally, we’re pleased to introduce our third Chinese brand, XPENG, now available at our West End, Southampton site. Offering new and approved used car sales, servicing, repairs, MOTs, parts, and accessories, XPENG represents a bold step into the future of automotive innovation. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead with both Jeep and XPENG as part of our growing portfolio.
