John Grose, one of the UK’s oldest motor businesses, has taken on the Subaru franchise.

Subaru’s new appointment in Woodbridge, Suffolk, sees the dealership cover an area of East Anglia that includes Ipswich.

The John Grose Group has 10 franchises, 11 locations and almost 500 staff with combined sales of more than £120 million.

Founder Joseph Grose set up a cycle business in 1888 and built one of the UK’s first ‘horseless carriages’ in 1898 using a German Benz engine. He also invented the first ‘none-skid’ pneumatic tyre.

John Grose is well known in Suffolk as a Ford dealer group, but started selling Rover cars in 1904.

The fourth-generation business has invested heavily in its Subaru Woodbridge location where it employs 15 staff.

John Grose Group chairman Ian Twinley says the Subaru business has got off to a good start – especially with the crossover Forester and Outback models - with several conquest sales to former Mercedes Benz owners.

He said: “Subarus are serious cars for serious people and provide an all-wheel drive niche for a range of users from professionals such as vets, people that follow outdoor pursuits and of course we can not forget the rally enthusiasts.

“With exciting new models in the pipeline such as the large Tribeca SUV, we have taken on the franchise at just the right time.”

Subaru (UK) Limited national franchise development manager Terry Leach said: “We enjoyed a record year for appointments in 2005 and are experiencing a similar high level of interest this year.

“Subaru currently has 84 dealers and is on track for 20 new signings by Christmas, all being of a very high calibre.”


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