The North East’s largest motor group, Benfield, has continued its programme of capital investment with the relaunch of a £800,000 Kia showroom and service centre on Railway Street, Newcastle.

The new 10 car showroom has been re-built from the ground up over the past six months.

The development work has also allowed Benfield to release a large open space as a dedicated used car sales area .

Mark Squires, Benfield’s executive chairman, said “We have seen a significant growth in Kia sales and popularity of the brand since we moved the franchise to the site on Railway Street in 2009.

“The low running costs, high residual values and product range are now attracting high numbers of cost conscious motorists and it is important that we keep offering our customers the highest levels of customer service and facilities.

“We are delighted with the new showroom and advanced service centre facilities which will allow us to keep pace with the growth of the Kia brand and products and help us provide the highest levels of customers service going forward long into the future.”

Benfield now has a total of 34 dealerships across the North East of England, Yorkshire, Cumbria and South West Scotland.