Chorley Group has succeeded in turning around Blackpool’s collapsed Fiat dealership.Since the group took on the business following the collapse of Caledonia in January, it has trebled new car registrations and spent £100,000 on refurbishment.

Andrew Turner, managing director of Chorley Group, said: “Business is booming for us in Blackpool because we are supplying the right cars at the right prices. We have an aggressive stock-buying policy which means we can pass on great savings.” 

That includes bulk-buying and keeping stock turning quickly.
In the period March to August, Chorley Group registered 407 new Fiats, nearly treble the number Caledonia managed during the same period in 2007.

Turner has used innovative marketing to take the new franchise out to prospective customers. In one, a tie-in with Blackpool Zoo saw four Fiat Pandas delivered in caged trailers before being displayed around the attraction. 

Mike Taylor, Fiat’s north- west zone sales manager, said: “Sales are up by nearly 300% which is remarkable given the current climate and trading conditions.”