🚗 INDEPENDENT DEALER SPECIAL! IMDA chairman and co-founder Umesh Samani in conversation with Philip and Curtis (E18, S12)
Mar 25, 2026
🚗 INDEPENDENT CAR DEALER
SPECIAL! Umesh Samani is Curtis and Phil’s special guest on this
weekday Motor Trade Radio podcast, powered by MOTORS & Cazoo.
Umesh will be a familiar name to many listeners for his
tireless work over the years raising the profile of the independent
sector as a chairman and co-founder of the Independent Motor
Dealers Association (IMDA), which represents around 2,000
businesses and celebrates its 10th anniversary next year.
Umesh is also the owner of Specialist Cars, in Stoke on Trent,
which he has run since 1997, as well as the adjoining Harris Motor
Company MOT and Service centre, which he acquired in 2016.
Our wide-ranging conversation includes an update on the IMDA’s
activities, how it is looking after members and its commercial
partner programme.
Umesh also discusses Q1 trading in the used car market and the
challenges and opportunities presented by independents stocking
used EVs and more!
Fun fact: Umesh joined the car retailing sector at the age of
16!
#automotive