Our Story
About Us
A Rich Heritage that Underpins our Future
The Bassadone Automotive Group (BAG) is one of Europe's largest independent automotive companies, dealing primarily with vehicle sales and exports, with a presence in Gibraltar, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, and the UK.
Starting in 1904 when the grandfather of George AC Bassadone OBE, sole shareholder, and Group President of Bassadone Automotive Group, opened a grocery store in Gibraltar. During the First World War, the business supplied British Forces based in Gibraltar with groceries. By 1927 the company changed direction with the import of vehicles into Gibraltar and became the first to import the ground-breaking Peugeot brand.
The Evolution of our Business
In 1980, George Bassadone introduced Toyota to Gibraltar, selling cars to the local market before exporting Toyota vehicles to Non-Government Organisations operating in developing countries. The export business later became Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings in 1996, an 'Authorised Specialised Distributor' of vehicles to aid and humanitarian organisations like the United Nations and NGOs (Medecins Sans Frontieres, International Committee of the Red Cross).
In 1997, the Bassadone Automotive Group was formed, and in 2003, the group purchased 50% of Simetron, a Finnish automotive company. Finally, completing the purchase of Simetron in 2007 led to the creation of Bassadone Automotive Nordic. The operation in northern Europe has since expanded to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
In 2009, Africa Automotive Distribution Services Ltd (AADS) was authorised by FCA, now Stellantis, to supply modified J8 vehicles to government organisations. In 2022, AADS introduced Iveco Defence Vehicles to their product line-up, contracted to sell to the UN and government organisations worldwide.
In 2011 the group signed a distribution agreement with SsangYong to distribute the brand in the United Kingdom.
Today, the Bassadone Automotive Group has an annual turnover of €1.2 billion and employs 996 people. The group delivered over 35,000 vehicles in 2023 to over 80 countries and aims for over 50,000 vehicle sales in 2024.
OUR STORY SUMMARISES OUR EXPERIENCE
Born from humble beginnings, Bassadone Automotive Group has grown to become an international distributor of some of the world's leading automotive brands.
1904
Bassadone started trading as a grocer in Gibraltar.
1927
A. Bassadone starts to import cars to Gibraltar for the first time.
1940s
Standard Triumph, Jaguar, Daimler, Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles are imported.
1970s
Start importing Honda motorcycles and cars.
1980
Started importing Toyota vehicles to Gibraltar.
1989
Bassadone Project Vehicles (BPV) started exporting Toyota vehicles directly to the UN and NGOs to developing countries.
1996
Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings is established.
1997
Bassadone Automotive Group was formed.
2003
BAG acquire 50% stake in Simetron.
2007
BAG take full control of Simetron and renamed to Bassadone Automotive Nordic (BAN).
2009
AADS is established.
2010
BAN starts importing Renault & Dacia into Finland.
2011
BAG signs distribution agreement to distribute SsangYong in the UK.
2014
BAN achieves 100,000 vehicles sold in Finland & The Baltics.
2015
SsangYong launched in Finland & The Baltics.
Lotus is launched in Finland.
2015
Autoverkkokauppa, an innovative new "web-buy" website & dealership launched in Finland.
2017
PSA Group - Peugeot, Citroën, and DS Automobiles launched in Finland
2018
Peugeot distribution into The Baltics started.
2020
Citroën & DS Automobiles distribution into The Baltics.
Two new dealerships (Autohalle) open Tallinn Estonia.
2021
New dealerships opened in Turku, Finland and in Riga, Latvia.
2022
AADS sign contract with IDV to distribute vehicles to the UN and US government organisations.
2022
TGS sign new distribution agreement with Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) to become Authorised Specialised Distributors.
2022
A new dealership in Hämeenlinna, Finland, opened.
2023
New dealerships in Tampere and Espoo, Finland. An additional dealership opened in Tallinn, Estonia.
2023
Opel distribution into Finland & The Baltics started.
2023
Fiat, Fiat Professional, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep distribution into Finland & The Baltics started.
2023
Bassadone Automotive Nordic acquires Nissan operations in The Baltics.
2024
SsangYong UK rebrands and becomes KGM Motors UK and launches a new dealership corporate identity and website to reflect the new name.
Our Distributors and Retailers
Our extensive distribution and retail networks' services range from specialised vehicles to support government organisations across the globe, to retailing OEM brands direct to consumers.