WR Davies has revealed plans to open a new Nissan dealership and expand its existing Ford operation in Rhyl with the creation of a Transit aftersales centre.

The £124.6 million turnover Shrewsbury-based group – a new entrant to the AM100 in 2022, in 97th place – plans to open WR Davies Nissan Rhyl in September as part of works that also include a 100% increase in workshop capacity at the site on Ffordd Las.

A statement issued by the group said Nissan sales had not been available to car buyers in its region of North Wales “for some time”.

It suggested that the Ford retail operation would remain intact and welcome the new commercial vehicles aftersales function.

Group director Neil Sullivan said: “The addition of Nissan to our Rhyl site is a huge and exciting opportunity for us as a business.

“We are operating with a business-as-usual approach; our Ford customers need not worry about too much disruption.

“We will continue to offer our five-star customer service to our Ford customers, and look forward to welcoming Nissan customers to our business.”

Neil Hogg, service manager at WR Davies Rhyl, said: “With our workshop capacity doubling, we will be looking for skilled technicians to join our team.

“We will also be looking at the potential of taking on apprentice-level technicians, which is an exciting opportunity for school leaver-age locals”.

AM revealed yesterday (March 6) that Nissan had emerged as on of the strongest performers in February's new car registrations.

The Japanese carmaker delivered a 123.8% year-on-year uplift to 3,285 units last month, leaving it 53.2% up year-to-date at 8,956 units.

Among its new products is the e-Power range of electrified Juke and Qashqai models and the new Ariya electric vehicle (EV).

Ford remains the UK's second-biggest selling car brand year-to-date - behind Volkswagen - despite a 54.1% February rise of 6,852 units.

The US-based OEM recently revealed plans to axe 3,800 jobs in Europe in a bid to create a leaner, more competitive cost structure and an “unapologetically American” new line-up of passenger vehicles alongside its continued market leadership in the commercial vehicle sector.

Founded in 1924, W R Davies Motor Group has been a family-run business since it was established by William Rees Davies in the village of Berriew, near Welshpool.

It new represents Citroen, Dacia, DS Automobiles, Ford, Nissan and Renault at 12 locations in the West Midlands and North Wales.