Jardine Motors Group has opened the doors of its new Oldham Audi showroom following an £8m investment in the 17-car facility.

The new dealership has created more than 40 new jobs and succeeded in raising industry diversification standards with 36% female staff with the opening of the four-and-a-half acre franchised site on Chadderton Way, Oldham, and will be a test-bed for new customer-focussed innovations from the German group.

A Quick Check Lane, which is a drive-through health check for the vehicle taking less than five minutes, is undergoing a pilot scheme outing.

The system tells the customer and technician tyre tread depths (measured by laser), tyre pressures, braking balance and efficiency, battery status, coding check and wheel alignment via i-pad, TV screen or printout.  

A digital service reception reduces paperwork, meanwhile, as number plate recognition identifies customers on arrival and provides a more personalised experience.

In addition, EVHC Duty of Care Specialists provide customers with informed advice to better understand their car’s performance and maintain it in excellent condition.

David Lucas, market area director at Jardine Motors Group, said: “Opening Oldham Audi is not just a leap forward for Jardine Motors Group and our partnership with Audi, it is a leap for automotive retailing and for Oldham.

“The technology and skills needed at this site provide a look into the future for customers and team members and we want to continue to push further and faster.

“At Oldham, we have consolidated technology which has not been used together before in the UK, showing we are committed to making the centre into a trailblazer for innovation in our industry.

“This is a massively ambitious project to create one of the largest and most innovative dealerships in the country, combining new approaches to customer service, employee policies and technology.

“Oldham is the ideal location to place the dealership and test new innovations due to its well-connected placement and skills of local people.”

Using insight from its own extensive research into what UK workers want from a career, Jardine Motors Group has also shaped new employment practices for the dealership.

To attract the best team members for the job who can embrace the technological advancements, Jardine Motors Group offers flexi-time, flexible hours and part-time work, resulting in greater diversification in the workforce.

 In addition it partnered with Get Oldham Working to offer job opportunities to those who are looking to return to work.

Before the opening of the site all new team members went through a rigorous four-week training programme.

This was to enhance their own customer service skills and receive detailed training on the new technology installed at the site so that they are using all technology to maximum capabilities.