Family-owned Motorline Group has added its fifth Nissan franchise after opening a temporary dealership in Reading.

The new site has generated 17 jobs and is located on the A4 Bath Road.

The business is operating from a temporary site until a permanent base can be found nearby to build a new showroom.

The new business will use Motorline’s flagship Nissan branch in Maidstone as a blueprint and is expected to be open within the next 18 months.

This latest acquisition in Reading is in addition to the Motorline Nissan franchises in Maidstone, Dartford, Tunbridge Wells and Crawley.

According to Nissan, Reading is strategically important territory for the brand and is one of its largest markets in the UK.

Tony Jones, brand director for Motorline Nissan, is expecting Reading to be a major area for growth, with Reading included in the £14 billion Crossrail project, as well as having a large number of hi-tech firms based in the town.

Founded in 1972, Motorline represents 10 car brands with dealerships across Kent, West Sussex, Surrey, Bristol and South Wales.