Glyn Hopkin claims that it has halved aftersales lead times with the creation of a new multi-brand aftersales facility to support its Nissan, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Renault retail sites in Chelmsford.

A £420,000 investment led to the creation of the facility on the town’s Bilton Road industrial and retail park, which is within 100 metres of the AM100’s various franchises in the area.

The aftersales operation has 27 service bays – comprising 25 service bays and two dedicated MOT bays – and employs 31 staff, including nine new positions and four apprentices.

“Our focus on customer service means we retain an impressive proportion of car and van buyers for aftersales care – but with that success comes the need for increased capacity,” said Fraser Cohen, managing director of Glyn Hopkin.

“When we identified the opportunity to expand the aftersales operation next door to our retail sites, we jumped at the chance.

“This significant investment means that our Chelmsford dealership customers will now be able to have their car or van serviced even more quickly, but with the same standard of care and precision.

“In all other respects, the customer experience will remain unchanged. We’re firm believers in the value of face-to-face contact with our customers, so owners visit the same place where they purchased the vehicle to carry out servicing.

“It’s a more intuitive experience than visiting a satellite facility, and gives our sales teams an opportunity to keep customers updated on new vehicles.”

The more spacious new Glyn Hopkin aftersales operation also claims to provide a comfortable working environment for staff, with a well-equipped kitchen and relaxing areas for staff breaks.

Glyn Hopkin celebrates 25 years in business in 2018, having opened its first car dealership in January 1993.

The group now represents Nissan, Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Suzuki, Honda, Mitsubishi and Jeep.