Vauxhall dealer Thurlby Motors has taken on its first Nissan franchise, bringing the group to four sites in the Lincolnshire area.

Thurlby was approached by Nissan to take on the franchise in Louth after the previous representatives, agricultural specialist Peacock and Binnington, and the Japanese manufacturer decided to part ways by mutual agreement.

The Nissan business will take Thurlby’s group turnover to £30m and it’s located just down the road from its Tattershall Way Vauxhall dealership. Aftersales for the Nissan site will run out of the Vauxhall dealership and it’s intended that the Nissan business will move to Tattershall Way before the end of 2011.

The expansion will house an 85 used car display as well as providing room for Nissan’s 4x4 and van specialisms.

Chris Roberts, Thurlby Motors managing director, told AM: “Nissan first spoke to us about taking on the franchise 14 months ago and we’ve had a good start with it this year.

“It is a turn-around business and it will reach profitability by year two of our ownership.”
Thurlby has kept on a couple of staff members, but is now looking to recruit up to eight more.

Roberts said: “We’ll be focusing on incorporating the new Nissan business into the group this year, but we’re still looking to grow with more sites in the future.”