HILTINGBURY Mazda at Chandler's Ford is celebrating 20 years as a Mazda dealer after the dealership founder's foresight proved spot on.

Reflecting on that move back in 1985, Neil Gardiner, now a consultant, said: "I just thought it was the right quality for this area. Mazda had a good range to offer at the right price for the area that we're in."

Scott Pomery, dealer principal for the Hiltingbury Motor Group's five sites which include Southampton Mazda, says what applied then is just as true today.

He said: "The product range is superb and the awareness has increased.

"We are trying to pitch the Mazdas against the Mondeo, the Focus, the Astra, the Hondas - we've got the quality and the desirability and it's certainly going to be the one in Southampton."

Scott, who only recently took over the position, said his aim was to unify the two sites' marketing.

"The Chandler's Ford business operates within a different environment. It is long established, with 45 years trading here and customers going back that far, so it trades off its family-friendly environment.

"Mazda are keen with their objective to increase their sale of cars in the Southampton area and so at Southampton Mazda in Bitterne we are strengthening the sales team.

"We also have a new product coming out later this year which will reinforce the best-selling roadster in the world.

"We are going to drive the Mazda range forward in Southampton."