Ness Motors as a company was formed in 1960, and in 1971 it acquired the Renault franchise for the North of Scotland. Scott Lauder joined the company in 1972 as the company accountant, and ten years later, Scott purchased the company from the retiring owner and Chairman Bill Gilbert.
In 1998 the company moved from its original premises in Telford Street to a purpose built facility on Harbour Road, Inverness.
In 1986 the Renault franchise for Moray and Banffshire was attained with a showroom opening in Elgin and in 2003 they also moved into a purpose built building at Linkwood Place, Elgin. The company expanded southwards in 2006 with the takeover of Inveralmond, the Renault dealership in Perth.
In January 2010 the company continued its expansion by acquiring the Citroen territory for the Highlands & Islands to become the main dealer for this area. The Citroen showroom is also on Harbour Road, Inverness.
A year later Saab becomes the company’s first prestige marquee covering the Highlands & Morayshire, to share a dual site with Citroen in Inverness.
Expansion continued further in July 2012 with adding SsangYong the Korean 4x4 and people carrier manufacturer to portfolio of franchises. SsangYong joins Citroen in the shared showroom on Harbour Road, Inverness.
Ness Motors however is not all about buildings and showrooms. The principles of honesty, reliability and justice, are paramount in the way that we run our business and these are applied both to the people who work in the company and to the customers whom we serve.
“We are a company who have no hidden agendas. Customers need to know that when they deal with Ness Motors, they can be confident of having straight, upright dealings. We are also conscious that despite all our best efforts, problems are inevitable, but we are committed to solving these as quickly as possible.
Finally I want every person to know that they are truly valued, whatever their role or spending power.”