Pentagon Motor Group has announced plans to close its Eccles Vauxhall dealership in early 2020, following Vauxhall’s decision to refranchise, termine its entire dealer network and issue new contracts to fewer dealers.

Pentagon managing director David Lewis, said: “We are naturally saddened to lose the Vauxhall business in Eccles, but understand that the brand has a vision to revise its future distribution strategy whilst remaining the second biggest brand in the UK.

“Fortunately, with the overall strength and spread of Pentagon Motor Group in the Manchester area, and the period of notice before final closure, we are confident of being able to offer all our Eccles employees suitable alternative employment at our other nearby Vauxhall dealerships in the area.”

Separately, Pentagon has served termination notice to Fiat and Nissan for its dual-brand dealership in Huddersfield.

Lewis said “We regret closing our Fiat and Nissan business in Huddersfield, but are faced with the fact that the site cannot be further developed to meet return on investment and brand identity standards.”

The AM100 dealer group has decided to give both manufacturers their required two-year period of notice.

Lewis said he hopes the manufacturers will find alternative franchisees for their brands, and that the new franchisees might take on the people currently in position at Pentagon’s Huddersfield dealership.

The group retains one other Fiat and Nissan outlet at Barnsley.

Pentagon Motor Group, founded by Trevor Reeve in 1991 initially with one Vauxhall dealership in Derby, was acquired by South Africa-based Motus Corporation in 2017 for £28.5m.

Vauxhall is still its major partner, with representation at 11 locations.