The opening of the Bowers Daewoo showroom in Manchester Road, Bolton, represents the first time that three GM Europe brands – Vauxhall/Opel, Saab and Daewoo – have come together in one single multi-brand site in Europe.

The site has been a Vauxhall retail outlet for more than 30 years. Bowers bought the site and business in 1989. Since then, the group has added the Saab and Network Q franchises as well as opening sales and service operations in Chorley, Manchester, Chester and Stockport.

Jonathan Browning, vice president sales, marketing and aftersales for GM Europe, officially opened the £200,000 five-car showroom. He said: “This is a landmark day in Europe and marks the path for European manufacturers in future.

“Dealers are looking at their future business opportunities and multi-brand sites such as this will become increasingly common throughout Europe.” Andy Carroll, managing director of GM Daewoo UK, said: “We have been re-building the company since the re-launch of the Daewoo brand under the GM banner in October .”

Daewoo currently has 75 UK dealerships, of which one third are also Vauxhall dealers. New dealers are being appointed at the rate of one a week.