Hendy Group is preparing to consolidate its commercial vehicle operations in West Sussex amid changes which will introduce a new Ford Transit Centre and an MG Motors dealership to its portfolio.

The AM100 car retail group will open the new Transit facility at its on the site of the group’s current Ford car and commercial dealership at Manor Royal in a move which will deliver the consolidation of its current commercial vehicle operations in Crawley, Horsham and Redhill.

Hendy Group chief executive, Paul Hendy, said the creation of a new “state-of-the-art” Transit Centre at Gatwick would enable the group to meet demand for commercial vehicles in the West Sussex area and, crucially, the London market.

He added: “These changes have been in the planning for some time. We are now pleased to be in a position to implement these changes which present a strong opportunity for Hendy to grow our car and commercial sales and aftersales in this area and we look forward to the opportunities these changes represent.”

Hendy’s consolidation of its commercial vehicle operations will also see its existing Ford car dealership move into a nearby facility in Manor Royal where it will operate alongside MG – a new franchise for Hendy in the area.

Commenting on the addition of an MG franchise for the market area, he added: “The emergence of MG’s strong electric portfolio will add significant value to the area as the demand for electric vehicles (EV) grows, as well as growing our representation with this exciting, emerging brand.”

Hendy Group is celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2020 and has undergone significant growth over the past 15 months, kicked off by the March, 2019, acquisition of Westover Group – a move expected to take its £555 million annual turnover to over £1bn.

In December last year the group opened its new Renault and Dacia showroom in Salisbury in a move which brought the two brands together with its existing Nissan and Toyota outlets.

And in March, it announced its preparations to expand its presence in Dorset with the opening of a new Toyota franchised site in Christchurch.