Harrogate based Meridian Motor Group has taken the first steps to extend its ‘Vantage’ brand beyond the Toyota marque following the acquisition of central Manchester’s only Hyundai dealership.

The deal brings the total number of dealerships in the group’s Vantage brand to seven and is the first time the business, launched in 2003, has extended its offering outside Toyota.

With its head office in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, Meridian Motor Group has secured continued growth and strong profitability year on year since launch.

Vantage Toyota Centres are located in Scarborough, York, Knaresborough, Blackburn, Colne and Preston.

Although still relatively young, the business has an ambitious growth strategy and in 2007 purchased three Vantage Toyota Centres in Lancashire to add to its three Toyota Centres in Yorkshire. In 2007 it rebranded all dealerships under the Vantage name.

The new Vantage dealership at Bury New Road, Salford will be called Vantage Hyundai Manchester and will continue to employ 18 staff.

Vantage will be making a significant investment to upgrade the site, support the rebrand and launch with a local marketing campaign.

Meridian Motor Group founder and managing director, Mark Robinson, said: "This represents a significant step for the business as we grow into new markets and reach new customers. As an independent family owned company, we are able to give our customers a much more personal service than other dealerships whilst maintaining the security, prestige and standards associated with the global Toyota and Hyundai brands.”

Meridian Motor Group Chairman, Phil White CBE, said: "This latest acquisition represents a very attractive opportunity and by diversifying into new areas and new marques we will be able to target new customers and capitalise on Hyundai’s rapid growth and increasing popularity, which saw global sales for May increase by 13.6%.”

The dealership was acquired from Hyundai UK for an undisclosed sum. Lawyers Ian Gilbert and Judith Pike from Walker Morris Solicitors acted for Meridian Motor Group in the deal.