Fine Cars has joined the SsangYong Motor UK dealer network with the opening of a new showroom in Gosport.

The Hampshire-based franchised car retailer already operates a Kia franchise in its hometown of Lee-on-the-Solent and first opened its doors in 1982, before joining the Korean brand’s franchise in 2003.

Fine Cars now has four sites, including two showrooms, and offers a range of services, which encompasses new and used car sales, servicing, car rental and MOTs.

Nick Laird, managing director at SsangYong Motors UK, said that the brand were “delighted to welcome Fine Cars to the SsangYong brand” given the dealership’s well established history and time of service.

He added: “We are confident this will be a successful partnership and remain on track to reach our goal of ninety franchised dealers by the end of 2020.”

Fine Cars general manager, Brett Duke, said: “Fine Cars have kick-started 2020 with massively positive momentum and we are delighted to adopt the SsangYong business for Gosport, Portsmouth, and surrounding areas.

“The SsangYong product range does not conflict with our existing new car operations, but it does add four key vehicle types, including an LCV in the Musso, to increase customer choice and give us more opportunities to secure conquest business.

“The SsangYong franchise is a perfect fit for our well-presented showroom in Gosport. We look forward to a long, cooperative and mutually prosperous business partnership with SsangYong Motors UK, and their experienced team.”

SsangYong’s most recent addition to showrooms is the Korando SUV, which went on sale in 2019.

The new model helped the Korean carmaker to grow its UK sales to 2,754 last year, 42.7% up on 2018’s 1,930.

Year-to-date to the end of March, SsangYong’s UK sales have declined by 17.7%, from 865 to 712.

The decline comes amid a series of challenges for the car retail sector and a year after the brand issued its first-ever volume targets to franchisees as it targets a more “transparent and professional” relationship with its retail partners.