AM100 dealer group Johnson Cars has opened three new dealerships, including the largest Volkswagen showroom in Europe, at a new multimillion-pound site in Shirley.

The Midlands-based group has invested £10 million into creating showrooms for Mazda, Volvo and the flagship Volkswagen dealership at its new 4.5-acre base, creating 74 jobs.

The company took over the former Dave and Busters restaurant business on Stratford Road, which had been vacant for over a decade, for £4m.

Johnson's operations director Mike Berwick said the plans had taken a long time to come to fruition.

Planning approval was given in 2011.

He said: "This is a key location for us. Stratford Road is renowned for car dealerships, it's like a mini motor village.

"Someone may come out to look at the new BMW and pop into the Mazda dealership. It's a great location, you're right by the M42, Solihull, and you have the second city right there."

The new dealerships are part of a £20m investment by Johnson. (Source: Birmingham Post)

A video of the construction of the VW site