The garage which introduced Saab to the Highlands has changed hands after 24 years. Inverness-based Caberfeidh Motors managing director John Mackenzie has sold his Harbour Road showroom and workshop to the County Saab Group, based in Ayr, which also has a Saab franchise in Milton Keynes.

County Saab’s group managing director Neale Dougan has ambitious plans for the former Caberfeidh Motors franchise and wants to double sales volumes within 12 months from its present 40 new registrations.

“I’m surprised Saab has not developed at a quicker rate in Inverness,” he says. “It’s the fastest growing city in the country and the area is economically buoyant.”

The County Saab Inverness outlet, currently with five staff, is set to gain sales and support jobs in addition to an expansion programme which will add up to an acquisition and development investment of £750,000.

It has one of the largest geographic franchise territories in the UK, spanning the Highlands, Western Isles, Lochaber, Moray, Orkney and Shetland – an area equal in size to Belgium.

“Next year I’ll be making lots of changes including a bigger showroom with fittings which reflect Saab’s current corporate image,” adds Dougan, who launched County Saab in 1991 and was Saab National Dealer of the Year in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

His Ayr outlet will deliver 200 new car registrations this year while Milton Keynes has grown from 120 units in 2001 to 170 this year.

Dougan says: “My objective with County Saab Inverness is very simply to develop the franchise using exactly the same systems and processes which were implemented in Ayr when we started.

“I believe this will result in a greater market share, a strong used car business and an overall better service for loyal Saab customers in the North of Scotland.”