Hawkins Motor Group and Griffin Mill Garages have become the first Nissan franchisees to adopt the Japanese car manufacturer’s new corporate identity at its dealerships.

Cornwall-based Hawkins and Pontypridd’s Griffin Mill Garages have erected signage featuring the brand’s new logo at sites at Penryn and Pontypridd.

Hawkins Motor Group joined the Nissan franchise when it acquired the newly-upgraded Town & Country Nissan dealership back in February.

Nissan said that the two-dimensional design of Nissan’s new logo signifies the carmaker’s continuous evolution towards becoming an innovative mobility brand of the future.

Its logo redesign mirrors 2D designs also adopted by BMW, Toyota/Lexus, VW, Vauxhall and Renault in recent months.

Dacia has also made the move and will showcase its new CI at the 2021 IAA Mobility show, in Munich, in September.

Nissan's previous corporate identity, branded Nissan Retail Concept, was introduced from 2014.

Spencer Clayton-Jones, Nissan’s director of network development and customer quality, said: “We’ve seen an accelerated shift in consumers interacting on our online platforms due to COVID-19, but physical dealerships remain an integral element of our operation.

“Although increased digitalisation has made it possible for consumers to start their journey with us in new and original ways, showrooms are the main space for direct interaction with our products, technologies and services, and dealers will continue to be a pivotal physical anchor point in our sales strategy.” 

Hawkins Penryn dealer principal, Richard May, said: ‘‘The new corporate identity looks great – it’s clean, modern and striking. Our Nissan showroom is now very bright, crisp and sharp and has a very modern feel.

‘‘Thanks largely to Nissan’s new visual identity, we now have a lovely clear, functional space. We all feel it’s been thought out really well and we’ve had plenty of positive feedback from customers.”

Mark Pardoe, managing director at Griffin Mill Garages, said: “We upgraded to the new corporate identity following a significant flood incident to the business. The difference is amazing.

“The showroom and offices now have a contemporary and stylish feel, significantly upscaled from the prior identity.

“The staff love the new working environment and we’ve had some great feedback from customers who have really embraced the relaxed feel to the discussion areas.”