Connected Stories: Specialist Cars

Umesh Samani is the proprietor of Specialist Cars and Harris Motor Co, based in Stoke-on-Trent, and chairman of the IMDA.

When Umesh was 10 years old, he and his siblings were forced to leave their country behind. The people of Leek arranged a welcome second to none, helping them settle in with hundreds of presents and cards.

‘Considering nobody knew who we were, we were welcomed with open arms. People we’d never met had gone to this much trouble, it was phenomenal.’

In 1997 Umesh set up Specialist Cars with his wife.

He co-founded the IMDA in 2017. The association helps guide its members in compliance, FCA regulations, legislation and employment law as well as giving out exclusive discounts and gaining a competitive edge through training. The IMDA is free for all independent motor dealers to join, and they have around 60 partners that help its members.

‘The IMDA was set up to help support independent used car dealers, to help give us a voice and to be recognised because the big car dealerships get all the best deals, so why should we be penalised for being small independent.’

Umesh has won many car dealer awards throughout his career, his latest being the Lifetime Achievement award at the Car Dealer Used Cars Awards in November 2023.

‘I wasn’t expecting any awards, it left me totally speechless! So to walk away with the Lifetime Achievement award was incredible.’

Umesh added,

‘I don’t sell cars, people buy cars from me.’