Lookers reveals all-new Nissan dealership in Sunderland

Lookers has officially opened a new Nissan dealership in Sunderland following an extensive £1.8 million transformation of its former Ford site on Newcastle Road.

Lookers’ new Nissan franchised dealership incorporates a 12-car showroom, customer lounge areas, EV charging points, new workshops and a handover bay – all designed to provide customers with a premier retail and aftersales experience. Around 35 staff are now employed at Lookers’ newest franchise location.

The new Lookers Nissan dealership in Newcastle Road has installed the new Nissan logo signage – the brand’s first style change in more than two decades.

The 27,000 sq. ft purpose-built showroom now showcases a wide range of new Nissan models, including the new all-electric Nissan ARIYA, featuring cutting-edge design and powerful electric mobility, the Juke Hybrid and the British-built Qashqai.

Welcoming Lookers’ latest investment in Sunderland and in the Nissan brand, Lookers’ franchise director Robert Dier, said: “Sunderland is once again the beating heart of Nissan’s UK manufacturing operations and we’re absolutely delighted to be investing locally in a new state-of-the-art Nissan dealership in an incredible city where everyone can experience this outstanding car brand’s style, innovation and focus on sustainable driving in an exemplar retail environment that customers will love.”

Lookers is currently creating a new £3.25 million dealership at Portland Road in Newcastle which is on track to open in 2024. Earlier this year, Lookers also opened the doors on a new £1 million dealership in nearby Gateshead following similar transformations in Chester and Carlisle in 2022.

Lookers’ chief operating officer Duncan McPhee, said the new dealership in Sunderland builds on its solid, strengthening ties with the Nissan brand.

“Committed to being the UK’s number one choice for all-electric driving, Lookers is delighted to be strengthening our partnership and we look forward to welcoming customers to our newest franchise dealership at Lookers Nissan Sunderland in the weeks and months ahead.”

Grant Richards, national network development manager at Nissan, said: ‘‘This new showroom in Sunderland is truly spectacular and showcases our cars in exactly the right way. The workshop facilities are equally impressive. We’re delighted with Lookers’ investment in our brand, and we look forward to a bright future together.

In June this year, Nissan Sunderland’s manufacturing hub become the fastest UK car manufacturer to reach 11 million vehicles, confirming its status as the UK’s largest car manufacturer by volume with around five million parts arriving at the plant per day.

Last month, Nissan and its partners announced a £2 billion plan to build three electric car models at its Sunderland factory. The Japanese firm will build electric Qashqai and Juke models at the plant alongside the next generation of the electric Leaf, which is already produced there. 

Pictured at the official launch are Kevin Wardrop, operations director for Lookers VNR division and Billy Taylor, general manager, Nissan Sunderland.