South Wales-based group J & J Motors will open its new Fiat and Suzuki franchise in Bridgend next month, following the re-development of a brownfield site on the A48.

The purpose-built dealership will house a 10-car showroom, split equally between the two brands, plus a four-bay workshop with cleaning facilities. Outside, there will be space for 20 new and 40 used cars, with storage for a further 25 and 15 customer parking spaces.

It will be Suzuki’s first franchise in Bridgend, and the group’s fourth in South Wales. The existing local Fiat franchisee, Lee and Turner, will continue as a service agent. The firm declined to comment on whether it would be replacing Fiat with a new brand.

J & J managing director John Plimmer said the group was hoping for 600 sales per year, half of which would be new, and a turnover of £6million. The site will open with a staff of 12, with further recruitment based on demand.

A full revamp of the Llanelli dealership is due later this year, aimed at creating extra space for new franchises.