Consumer confidence levels in Volkswagen have returned to normal despite the ongoing emissions scandal, according to one dealer group boss.

Darren Cooper, managing director of the Peter Cooper Volkswagen Group, said: “The emissions situation took us by surprise and undoubtedly had an effect."

He said the group saw up to a 25% decrease in order take for a period of approximately four weeks.

“Volkswagen has pledged to put that right and regain people’s faith in its brand.

“But it just shows the power of the brand that sales are back to normal levels again, if not stronger.

“We are re-assuring people that buying a Volkswagen is still one of the best decisions when buying a new or approved second hand car and with many improved bonuses to hand it really has proved to be an amazing time to buy for many customers.”

“Confidence once again seems strong in our customers.

Importantly, residual values of Volkswagens haven’t been affected and this can be put down to a number of things – durability, reliability and all-round safety of the cars.”

Peter Cooper has a turnover of more than £80 million and employs over 200 staff across four retail sites and a bodyshop operation.

Its new £2.5m Peter Cooper Hedge End VW retail showroom (visual pictured) opens just before Christmas, with a grand opening early in the New Year.

Cooper said: “The new state of the art dealership will be a big draw for customers wanting an even better Volkswagen experience and service.

“We have more than 40,000 customers who have bought into the Peter Cooper brand over three decades on trust.

In addition, many new people are buying Volkswagen cars from us for the first time so we also want them to have total confidence from the moment they enter our showrooms.”

Peter Cooper is also holding onto its site at Coopers’ roundabout when it moves to its new site only a few hundred yards away.

The site will be transformed into a dealership for all marques of pre-owned prestige cars including Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar and Range Rover.

“Selling prestige cars with the Peter Cooper brand will give people that added trust when buying a top marque car. We are very optimistic that people will travel all over the south coast to visit us and we hope to offer a wide range of reliable, unique and exceptionally presented vehicles.”