Oakmere Motor Group has taken to two wheels with the launch of a new Norton Motorcycles dealership.

The Chesire-based car retail group has added the iconic British brand to a wide-ranging portfolio which already features Caterham, Mazda, Morgan, Lotus Cars and Toyota, along with a Volkswagen approved aftersales operation.

Norton Motorcycles said that the opening of the new franchise, on Manchester Road, Northwich, was another significant step in its sales partner strategy as it delivers its new Commando 961 and the V4SV superbike to UK riders.

Jonathan Jarratt, managing director of Oakmere Motor Group, said: “Norton Motorcycles is Oakmere’s very first motorcycle brand, and what a name to add to our showroom.

“It’s a company with an incredibly rich heritage and exciting new products. From the outset, it was clear Norton shared our values and a passion for quality, so we are delighted that we are now a Norton sales partner.”

Established as a family-run Lotus specialist in 1978 and operates out of dealership sites in Northwich and Prestbury.

Christian Gladwell, Norton Motorcycles’ chief commercial officer, said: “We’re very excited that Norton can join a well-established and professional dealership such as Oakmere.

“They’ve had great success over 45 years with the likes of Lotus, Morgan and Caterham, so Norton is the perfect addition to their growing portfolio.”

Oakmere is part of a trend that has seen increasing numbers of car retailers adopt motorcycle franchises.

Earlier this year Brayley Cars founder and managing director Paul Brayley told AM how he had been impressed by his business’ first foray into two wheels, with Honda in Romford.

Vertu Motors has also established a large motorcycle division, with became the BMW Motorrad network’s largest franchised partner with the £4.2 million acquisition of two Yorkshire dealerships from Saltaire Motor Company, trading as Allan Jefferies, in November last year.

Strategic plans within the Volkswagen Group, meanwhile, are likely to see around 100 Audi retailers across the globe adopt a Ducati motorcycles franchise.