The History of Ocean
The Plymouth BMW dealership acquired by Robert Grunsell and Michael Evans (Chairman) on December 30th, 1984 was the start of what would later become the Ocean Group in Devon and Cornwall.
Originally trading as Grevan Cars from Union Street in Plymouth City Centre the BMW franchise incorporated new and used car sales, service workshop, parts department, petrol forecourt, Body Centre, and car hire. The Body Centre first moved to Saltash before the acquisition of the current site in Lister Close.
After outgrowing the original site, the business moved to its present location at St Modwen House, Marsh Mills, Plymouth in December 1998 to create a greater capacity for its growing customer base, this was followed by the introduction of the PDI Centre adjacent to the Body Centre in Lister Close.
Prior to this move, Michael had acquired an interest in both Chenalls Ltd (BMW Torbay) and Slaterise Ltd (BMW Falmouth). These two additional BMW franchises were then incorporated into Grevan Cars and the trading name Ocean was established in 1997 to provide a single identity across the region.
In 2001 with the launch of the new MINI, all three Ocean locations gained the additional franchise and incorporated this product into their premises.
In late 2005 Graham De Val joined the Company as Group Managing Director to oversee Ocean Group operations and provide a succession plan to Michael Evans upon his retirement.
Plymouth currently has a separate MINI facility at Billacombe Road.In 2015 the Falmouth showroom was extended after the acquisition of adjacent land and now provides excellent BMW, MINI and Motorrad facilities on one site. In May 2018 Ocean opened the Torbay Bike Shack on the site, this facility is proving very popular with the biking community.
Grevan Cars trading as Ocean now employs approximately 270 people across the region. With turnover in excess of £80 million per annum the Group is recognized as an essential and integral part of the South West’s economy.
