TrustFord to fill franchise gap with new Carlisle car dealership

TrustFord is preparing to open the doors at a new car dealership in Carlisle to fill a gap in the Ford retail network left by Arnold Clark’s exit from the franchise.

The Ford of Britain-owned AM100 car retail group has said that it plans to open the new facility, located on Kingstown Industrial Estate, in July.

TrustFord already has a Parts Plus wholesale car parts centre in the Cumbrian town and the creation of its new retail and aftersales facility will represent an investment of around £500,000.

Group chief executive Stuart Mustoe said: “At TrustFord we’re always looking for ways to drive the standard in customer care and that’s why we’re investing across our network.

“The opening of our site in Carlisle will be an important milestone for us and represents our desire to bring the TrustFord experience to more customers. I would like to thank our colleagues who are working so hard to get the site ready to open.”

TrustFord’s Carlisle development is not the first to plug gaps left by Arnold Clark’s exit from the Ford and Toyota franchises last year.

The business is currently developing a new dealership on a five-acre site on Aberdeen’s West Tullos Industrial estate in a move that is expected to create up to 90 jobs.

TrustFord intends to offer its mobile servicing from its new dealership in Carlisle, allowing qualified Ford technicians to visit customers at their home or workplace. 

Customers will also be able to take advantage of Bring it To Me NOW, enabling them to reserve, select and have a used vehicle delivered from anywhere in the group to their home.

As Ford prepares to expand an electric vehicle range which currently counts the Mustang Mach E as its only zero emissions offering – initially with the recently-revealed Explorer crossover – the new site will include a seven-bay electric vehicle (EV) equipped aftersales.

It will also offer Service NOW, which guarantees vehicles are serviced in 60 minutes or less.

Last month TrustFord opened a newly refurbished PartsPlus Centre and Aftersales Contact Centre in Thurrock, following an investment of £1.2 million in the site.