Kia UK is calling new dealerships like Spirit Kia in Northampton an “aspiration” rather than a standard – but there are clear signs this is the preferred future of the franchise in the UK.

Spirit is building another Kia showroom next to its VW dealership in Leamington Spa; a futuristic Audi-style outlet is being built in Derby by NK Motors; and the largest Kia site in the country is under construction in Bristol.

The carmaker has ambitious sales targets and needs a high profile presence in the major market places around the country. However, it will still consider each application on individual merits.

“The days when we would appoint somebody operating out of a back plot with no service facilities are over,” says a Kia spokesman. “Spirit is what we would love, but we don’t have a laid down specification.”

Philip Derbyshire, Spirit managing director, says: “We are on the ground floor of a mini-revolution, the Koreans are coming. We find Kia UK very refreshing.”

Spirit plans to sell 255 new cars in year one, but trading already suggests this target will be exceeded, by up to 100 cars.