South East-based dealer group Glyn Hopkin has added the Renault and Dacia franchise to its business for the first time at its showroom in Chelmsford.

The group now has 35 dealerships across London and the South East and the business invested over £1 million to develop a 10,000sq ft purpose-built facility for the new franchises at Bilton Road.

The new dealership features a 20-car showroom, which incorporates the new Renault Store showroom design concept featuring displays and interactive screens.

Outside, there is room to display 20 approved used cars and service department has a six-bay workshop.

Ken Birch, Renault and Dacia brand director at Glyn Hopkin, said: “As a group we consider our future strategy very carefully and decide which manufacturer partners will best help us to grow and achieve our goals.

“Now’s the perfect time for us to join Renault and Dacia’s dealer network. The brands are very much on the up, benefitting from an excellent product offering that is seeing a real increase in volumes.”

Birch said the new franchises sit well within the group’s current portfolio and they would play a major role in Glyn Hopkin’s aim to increase turnover to £500m.

Renault Group is planning to make its brand a market leader in customer satisfaction and brand opinion in the UK and gain a market share of more than 5% by 2017.