About Premier Motors
Main Ford Dealer, Transit Centre, MG Dealer, Peugeot Dealer, Van Centre Servicing, Accident Repair Centre and Car & Van Hire
Founded on the Isle of Wight in 1852 and serving as a Main Ford Dealer since 1923, Premier Motors is a name you can trust for sales, service, repair, and rental.
For nearly 40 years, many have known us simply as Premier Ford, but our full name has been Premier Motors (Solent) Ltd since January 1st, 1980, when we rebranded from Frank Cheverton Motors.
With over 160 years of automotive expertise, we take pride in offering a comprehensive range of motoring services from our Newport showrooms.
- New Ford, MG & Peugeot and Used Car Sales
- New & Used Van Sales
- Car, Van, Campervan Servicing & Repair
- MOT Test Centre
- BSi Accredited Accident Repair Centre
- Car and Van Hire
Get your Motors running…
Premier Motors has been proudly serving motorists and businesses across the Isle of Wight for many years from our home at Riverway, Newport.
Today, Premier Motors is the sole occupier of the Riverway showroom and workshop facilities, providing customers with even greater choice and support. Our expanded facilities include a larger workshop and a dedicated team of commercial vehicle technicians, helping to keep Island businesses moving. Through the Premier Van Centre, we provide specialist commercial vehicle sales, servicing, maintenance and support for businesses across the Isle of Wight.
As the only Ford dealer on the Isle of Wight, Premier Motors offers the latest range of Ford cars and commercial vehicles, including petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. Our relationship with our customers extends well beyond the purchase of a vehicle, with flexible finance options, manufacturer-approved servicing and repairs, and genuine Ford parts all available from our Riverway dealership.
In 2021, Premier Motors welcomed MG to Riverway, becoming a multi-franchise dealership for the first time in decades. Since then, we have proudly represented MG on the Isle of Wight, offering customers access to its growing range of affordable petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles.
Our story continued in 2026 with the opening of our new Peugeot car showroom, bringing another major automotive brand to Riverway and giving Island motorists even greater choice when looking for their next vehicle.
The arrival of Peugeot represents another significant investment in Premier Motors by Greenhous Group and reinforces our long-term commitment to the Isle of Wight, our customers and the local community.
With Ford, MG and Peugeot all represented at Riverway, alongside our dedicated commercial vehicle facilities and comprehensive aftersales services, Premier Motors is proud to offer everything motorists and businesses need from one convenient Isle of Wight location.
In the beginning….
The Cheverton family business began in 1852, when cabinet maker William Cheverton established a coach-building and repair business. Known for exceptional craftsmanship, the Cheverton name gained prestige, even receiving orders to build 17 carriages for Queen Victoria.
In 1905, under the leadership of Frank Cheverton, William’s grandson, the company expanded into the motor vehicle industry. By 1923, it had become the Isle of Wight’s Main Ford Dealer for cars and tractors.
From there, the business continued to grow, adding Austin and Rover franchises, specialist coachbuilding, repairs, tyres, machine work, car hire, and even an agricultural machinery department supplying tractors and milking machines.
By 1952, Frank Cheverton’s premises spanned nearly an acre in the heart of Newport, employing over 100 staff and cementing its reputation as a key player in the Isle of Wight’s automotive industry.
In the present tense…
In recent years, Premier Motors has established itself as a multi-award-winning dealership, recognised not only for the service we provide to our customers, but also for creating a positive and rewarding place to work.
In 2019, Premier Ford was named one of the UK’s Best Dealerships To Work For for the third consecutive year. Following a rigorous assessment of both the business and its employees, Premier was one of just 11 dealerships to achieve the prestigious AM Best UK Dealerships To Work For accreditation.
The recognition celebrated Premier’s commitment to creating an outstanding workplace where employees feel valued, engaged and able to flourish – a culture that continues to be an important part of the business today.
Continued investment in Riverway
In 2026, Premier Motors entered another exciting chapter with a major transformation of our Riverway dealership.
The investment saw our showrooms extensively refurbished to welcome Peugeot to the site, alongside significant upgrades to our existing Ford and MG areas. Improvements extended across the dealership, including refreshed external cladding and the installation of additional EV charging facilities, helping to prepare Riverway for the next generation of motoring.
The arrival of Peugeot also marked the beginning of an exciting new partnership between Premier Motors and the Isle of Wight’s Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
Through the ongoing initiative, Premier Motors supports the Sanctuary and its work caring for rescued animals by making a donation for every qualifying new Peugeot sold.
Together, these developments represent our continued investment in Premier Motors, our people and the Isle of Wight community, while ensuring our Riverway dealership continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of Island motorists and businesses.
Multiple Ford Chairman’s Awards
Premier Motors achieved remarkable success, securing five prestigious Ford Chairman’s Awards in 2007, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
This award, limited to the top 30 dealers in the UK, recognises dealers that deliver the highest standards of customer satisfaction, quality and outstanding dealer performances across sales and service.