The Chorley Group has signed a deal to be the sole supplier of Infiniti to export markets outside the UK.

The group already runs its Nissan Export operation which supplies vehicles to a network of contacts in destinations as far afield as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Samoa.

Already a success in America, Infiniti are now hoping to crack the European market by taking on established prestige brands such as Audi and BMW.

Initially, the firm will have a line-up of five models ranging from £30,300 to £53,800, including the G37 coupé, G37 convertible, G37 saloon, EX37 coupé crossover and the FX line of crossovers.

A sixth model, a larger saloon that will challenge the Jaguar XF and BMW 5-series, will follow next year.

Dave Hull, export director at The Chorley Group, said: "This is a very exciting move for us as a group.

"In the past, we have enjoyed a lot of success in the export market, and each deal we do is incremental to our normal dealership business.

"The Infiniti range is already creating a real buzz in the UK, and it will only be available through a specialist network of dealers. However, they decided to approach us about handling the export side and we were only too happy to help."