The JCB Group

The JCB Group: new and used vehicle dealership in Kent and Sussex

The JCB Group is a family-owned, privately managed dealership group operating in Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex, in the south-east of England. Its activities cover the sale of new and used vehicles, commercial vehicles, campers, aftersales services, rental and the Motability scheme. The company presents itself as the largest private Volkswagen dealer in the south-east and the largest Renault and Dacia dealer in Kent, as well as claiming to be the largest Kia and CUPRA and SEAT dealer in Kent.

Brands represented

Throughout its history, the group has added various brands to its portfolio. It currently sells new vehicles from Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Kia, Renault, Dacia, CUPRA, SEAT, Škoda, Mazda and Alpine. It also maintains aftersales activity for Honda and Mitsubishi, and offers authorised repair services for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The range includes passenger cars, commercial vehicles, campers and electric and hybrid models.

Electric and hybrid vehicles

The group has a dedicated section for electric and hybrid mobility, with information on models, benefits, government grants, electric subscription plans (PCH) and driving and charging tips. It has an electric vehicle battery care centre and offers the possibility of test-driving electric models. Featured models on the site include the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan, the Renault Mégane, the Volkswagen ID. Cross, the Dacia Striker and the CUPRA Born, the latter with an indicated price of £34,495, including a £1,500 government grant.

Used and commercial vehicles

The company sells used and pre-owned vehicles, with more than 1,017 cars in stock according to the information on the site, including a wide range of hybrids and electrics. It offers the possibility of reserving any used vehicle for £19 and of buying online with finance. It also has a selection of used vans and commercial vehicles, with commercial trade centres in Eastbourne and Ashford, and campers and motorhomes for rent, including the California Camper and Motorhome Rental.

Aftersales services

The group provides maintenance and repair services, with online appointment booking, digital self check-in, service plans, air conditioning servicing, Diamondbrite vehicle protection, fuel and air care, electric and hybrid vehicle servicing, seasonal safety checks, tyre fitting, SMART and key service, and the sale of genuine parts, accessories and merchandise. It also offers the EazyPay payment system for aftersales services.

Rental and Motability scheme

The company offers Kia car rental and California camper and motorhome rental. It also participates in the Motability scheme, which allows access to new vehicles through the mobility scheme, including the option of electric vehicles.

Group evolution

Founded in December 1998 by Jonathan Bischoff, who then became one of the first Volkswagen-sponsored retailers and the youngest, the group opened its first showroom at JCB Medway Volkswagen, in Gillingham Business Park, which remains its head office. Since then it has grown by opening new outlets and acquiring groups such as Hidsons Group in north Kent in 2018, which added four sites and the Kia, Citroën and SsangYong (now KGM) brands. In 2023 it incorporated JCB Volkswagen Tunbridge Wells and opened the first standalone Alpine showroom in the UK, in Canterbury. In 2024 it added Kia and Mazda in Ashford Orbital, opened JCB CUPRA & SEAT Medway and acquired Bromley Kia, now JCB Kia Bromley. In 2025 it renamed its previously named Euro branches as JCB. In 2026 it acquired Volkswagen Maidstone and Škoda Maidstone, and subsequently incorporated Volkswagen Canterbury, Canterbury TPS, the Canterbury Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles authorised repairer and Suzuki aftersales.

Dealership network

The group operates a network of dealerships and service centres in locations such as Gillingham, Ashford, Sittingbourne, Rochester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Worthing, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Rainham, Bromley (Beckenham), Maidstone and Aylesford. The company maintains an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 9,553 Google reviews, according to the data shown on its website.

Sites and locations

JCB CUPRA & SEAT Medway site: Rainham, Kent

JCB Volkswagen Maidstone site: South Aylesford Retail Park, Wood Close, Aylesford, ME20 7UB

JCB Škoda Maidstone site: South Aylesford Retail Park, Wood Close, Aylesford, ME20 7UB