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Virgin Cars

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Virgin Cars (UK) Limited
Company typeLimited
IndustryAutomotive industry
Founded2000 (2000)
United Kingdom
FounderRichard Branson
Ian Lancaster
Defunct2005 (2005)
Headquarters120 Campden Hill Road, ,
United Kingdom
Number of locations
Salford Quays, City of Salford
(Showroom)
Area served
United Kingdom
ParentVirgin Group
Websitewww.virgincars.com
(via archive.org)

Virgin Cars Ltd was an internet automobile retailer, established by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and co-founded by Ian Lancaster in 2000 as part of the Virgin brand of companies.

Branson predicted the company would sell 24,000 cars in its first year, with a £300m turnover.[1] By October 2000, the company had sold more than 2,000 cars, generating £30 million.[2] In 2001, the company launched a subsidiary, Virgin Bikes.[3] By 2003, the company had still sold only 12,000 cars.[4] In May of that year, Branson opened Virgin Cars' first showroom in Salford, Greater Manchester.

In 2005, the company stopped all operations and ceased trading.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Brabbs, Cordella (25 May 2000). "Virgin Cars aims for £300m sales". Marketing.
  2. ^ "Branson launches Virgin Cars at Motor Show". PR Newswire. 17 October 2000.
  3. ^ "Virgin Cars". Marketing Week. 5 July 2001.
  4. ^ "RICHARD BRANSON'S FAILS: 14 Virgin Companies That Went Bust". Business Insider. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Virgin Cars Homepage after closing". Archived from the original on 1 January 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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