MG Motor UK is calling on dealers to join its expanding network after celebrating a 35% growth.

The car manufacturer enjoyed the most successful year since MG was re-born in 2015 with more than 3,000 registrations surpassing its 2013 and 2014 registrations combined, but has some way to go to match its 2002 heyday – when it recorded almost 100,000 sales.

Now the brand has issued an appeal for “hardworking, forward-thinking, dealers” to join its network and help deliver further growth in 2016.

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s head of sales and marketing, said: “We’ve got a product development plan for each year until 2020, so it’s an exciting time to consider joining us.

“We’re currently looking to fill open points around Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton, amongst many other areas, so if you’re a dealer and you want to talk about us working with a car manufacturer that is far from dictatorial then please get in touch.”

MG Motor UK currently markets the MG3 hatchback and MG6 saloon in the UK, but has new model plans, including the introduction of a Nissan Qashqai-rivalling SUV in 2016.

Northgate Garage Group was the latest addition to the brand’s network when it added a Canterbury dealership to the MG Motor UK network in December, with the brand's tally of new retailers already standing at 12 for the year at that stage.

Group owner Peter Hinkins said: “We think that the brand has got a real future to look forward to.”