Lookers completes opening of new Chester Kia dealership

Lookers has marked the opening of its new Chester Kia dealership with a weekend-long customer event.

Three new members of staff have been recruited at the site on Sealand Road, Chester, after the AM100 car retail group added the Korean brand into what had been a standalone Vauxhall franchised site.

Staff and customers celebrated the opening, which coincides with Kia UK’s 30th anniversary.

The brand is celebrating a record European market share in H1 2021 – with 251,236 year-to-date compared to 178,393 during the same period last year – and has sold more than 1.2 million cars in the UK since 1991.

The Chester Standard newspaper reported that Kia customers in Chester had been invited to attend Lookers’ new Kia ‘red cube’ building for an opening event last weekend.

Lookers Kia Chester’s operations manager, Mark Starling, said: “We’re thrilled that after significant works and investment to be showcasing the new world class Kia dealership and an inspiring, innovative range of world class vehicles for every need this weekend as part of an opening celebration event.

“A leader in technology, Kia is an outstanding brand and we couldn’t be more excited to proudly showcase this transformed dealership and demonstrate our exceptional customer service record to customers old and new. We hope everyone can celebrate with us.”

Kia’s UK retailers are currently awaiting initial deliveries of the much-anticipated EV6 electric vehicle (EV).

Order books opened on May 18 for the all-new model, which is priced from £40,895 and buyers will be able to choose from two powertrains and three trim grades, initially. A range topping GT version is expected to arrive next year.

Entry level models are known simply as 'EV6' and come with a 229PS motor driving the rear axle.

Priced from £40,895, it comes equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, vegan leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control.

GT-Line trim is priced from £43,895, when using the same rear-drive motor, or £47,395 if equipped with a 325PS all-wheel-drive drivetrain.

In addition to the base specification, these models feature sportier styling, front parking sensors, privacy glass and blind spot monitoring.