Hartwell opens UK's first Ford Signature car dealership in Reading

Hartwell has opened the doors to the UK's first Ford Signature car dealership and Transit Centre in Reading.

The AM100 car retail group officially opened the doors to its new facility, off the A33 in Reading, as dealerships across the UK reopened their doors to customers following COVID-19 ‘Lockdown 3’.

Hartwell’s newly-developed Ford dealership is situated between Waylands Automotive’s newly-acquired Kia franchise and Marshall Honda.

Ford Motor Company retail strategy manager, Louise Coates, was one of the first people to visit the new site when she took a look yesterday (April 14).

Taking to LinkedIn, Coates, celbrated the opening of the UK's "first full Ford Signature" corporate identity (CI) retail site. She said: “Great visit today to the newly completed site in Reading. The site looks amazing with the new Ford global look and style - Signature.”

Hartwell’s new business is now open for New Ford Car and Commercial Vehicle Sales and Service.

A statement on the group’s website said: “Hartwell are pleased to announce the opening of a new Ford dealership representing car and commercial vehicles in Reading.

“Having successfully traded for over 100 years we’re delighted to assist customers with their motoring needs, and have built a reputation for providing exceptional customer service and the highest quality vehicles. We look forward to welcoming you from April 12.”

Hartwell’s new facility is one of several newly-created car retail facilities that have opened for the first time after development was completed in COVID-19 lockdown.

In January Russ Dacre, the owner of Lind Group, revealed that Norwich’s new 17-car Porsche Centre had opened its doors for aftersales and click and collect sales, but would forgo a ‘grand opening event’ until restrictions allowed.

Lookers also opened the doors of its Polestar Space in the Trafford Centre, Manchester, this week after its initial opening late last year lasted a matter of days before restrictions were imposed, AM understands.

Also among the lockdown openings were: three MG dealerships for Minstergate; Perrys MG, Huddersfield; HR Owen’s new Bentley dealership in Hatfield; Gravells Kia, Hereford; Close Motor Company Isuzu, Peterborough; and Robins and Day Citroen, Leicester.