Renault returns to Scots city 11 | 03 | 2016
ONE OF SCOTLAND'S leading automotive groups, John Clark, has opened a new Renault dealership in Aberdeen. The opening ends a three-year period without Renault representation in the city.
Located on Abbotswell Road and launched under the Specialist Cars arm of John Clark, the development of the new dealership (pictured) also ensures that the value-driven Dacia brand has a presence in Aberdeen for the very first time.
The site is also the first Renault Group franchise to be opened by the John Clark Motor Group in its 37-year history.
John Clark has invested more than £150,000 in refurbishing the site, which now features a virtual car configurator and the iPad-equipped Brand Bar.
The dealership — which has created 28 jobs — also has a 17-bay workshop, which includes dedicated bays for MOT testing and wheel alignment and is manned by expert, manufacturer-trained technicians.
The opening of the new John Clark Renault dealership is part of the French car maker's expansion across Scotland and the rest of the UK: in 2016, Renault plans to open another 15 UK dealerships.
“The addition of Renault and Dacia to our portfolio allows us to cover areas of the market that we do not currently represent," Chris Clark, director of John Clark, said.
"With Dacia vehicles starting from only £5995, this brand in particular presents us with a true opportunity to target car buyers that have yet to experience John Clark.
“Our decision to invest in the Renault Group franchise was influenced by a number of factors, including the significant growth in market share its vehicles have achieved over the last three years and the strength of its product ranges.
“Establishing the dealership has been an excellent experience. We have found the manufacturer’s franchise team to be very dedicated and passionate, their expertise having enabled us to launch the business in record time and making the transition to representing a new franchise exceptionally easy.”
The opening of the Aberdeen dealership was welcomed by Darren Payne, sales director of the Renault Group UK.
Related: John Clark expands portfolio
“With John Clark already enjoying a sizeable presence across Scotland, and having established an excellent reputation over the best part of 40 years, we’re delighted to welcome such a valuable addition to our dealer network," Payne said.
“Renault Group has been without representation in Aberdeen for some time and with its immense experience and customer focus, John Clark is the perfect investor to firmly re-establish Renault in the city and introduce the region’s car buyers to the great value of Dacia.”
John Clark will be hoping to capitalise on the resurgence of Renault across the country.
Last year Renault Group UK sales were up 17.4% on 2014 to 127,343 vehicles, significantly outpacing the UK car market, which rose by 7.4%, Renault car sales represented 75,618 vehicles (up 14% YTD), Renault van sales were 25,458 (up 40% YTD, more than double that of the UK van market growth of 15.5% YTD) and Dacia car sales represented 26,228 vehicles (up 10% YTD).
Related: Renault lifts wraps from new Scenic
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/Scotcars
Jim McGill