Drive Motor Retail invests over £2 million in major redevelopment of Darlington dealership

The significant investment marks the first major refurbishment of the site in more than 20 years, with the upgraded dealership set to introduce new manufacturer partnerships including Citroën, Peugeot, Fiat and Abarth, alongside Fiat Professional aftersales services.

The redevelopment reflects evolving manufacturer requirements from global automotive group Stellantis, which encourages multiple brands to operate from a single modernised location, creating a more convenient experience for customers.

Once completed, the Darlington site will allow visitors to view and test drive up to seven new vehicle brands in one location, while also showcasing more than 130 used vehicles.

The upgraded dealership will feature five dedicated showrooms, significantly expanded workshop facilities and improved service capacity following the relocation of the MOT bay and additional vehicle ramps.

The redevelopment is also bringing new employment opportunities to the region, with 13 new roles already created and additional recruitment underway, particularly for vehicle technicians and master technicians.

The first phase of the transformation will see the dealership become an authorised repairer for Citroën, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Abarth and Peugeot from early April. Sales of new Peugeot vehicles will begin from 1 May, with the full brand line-up becoming available from 1 June.

The site will continue to offer vehicles from Vauxhall, Leapmotor and MG, giving customers an extensive range of options across multiple manufacturers.

Jeff Parkin, General Manager at Drive Motor Retail Darlington, said: “This investment represents a major step forward for our Darlington site and reflects the growing demand in the area.

“The dealership hadn’t seen a full refurbishment for more than two decades, so this redevelopment allows us to completely modernise the site and bring together an exciting range of brands in one location.

“Customers will now be able to view and test drive vehicles from several leading manufacturers in one place, alongside our extensive selection of used cars.

“We’re also incredibly proud that this investment is creating new jobs locally, and we’re continuing to recruit talented technicians to support our service capabilities.”

Further updates on the redevelopment and brand launches will be shared in the coming months.