South West Motor Dealer Vospers reveals £12m Exeter supersite
Vospers today announced plans for their exciting new 61,215 square foot state of the art facility in Exeter destined to open late 2018.
The supersite at Matford will include a new FordStore, five state of the art showrooms for Ford, Mazda, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, all with the latest corporate identity and futuristic technology to aid customers in making a purchasing decision.
The site will see the consolidation of Vospers’ three current sites in Exeter, all relocating to the new site on Matford Way adjacent to the recently opened Audi site and opposite Jaguar and Land Rover.
The establishment of the new site at Matford is the culmination of a 10-year plan to deliver leading sales, service and parts facilities for staff and customers and to further strengthen the company’s presence in the region.
With a current portfolio of 11 franchises and close to 700 staff, the 72-year-old family-owned business is investing more than £12m in the new development.
Nick Vosper, the Managing Director, said: “The new site at Matford in Marsh Barton represents a substantial investment for our company. Vospers’ long-term banking partner Lloyds Commercial supported us with funding for the purchase and development of the new site. This further demonstrates our commitment to all our Franchise partners, Ford Motor Company, the FCA group and Mazda but most of all to staff and customers in Exeter and the surrounding area.”
The site will set new standards in car and van servicing, from its state of the art 28 bay workshop. This will include the latest manufacturer and independent diagnostic equipment and ramps, two automatic testing lanes providing customers with servicing and MOTs for all cars, vans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes.
Every vehicle that visits the workshop will drive through the tyre and alignment check lane, producing a 3D image of each tyre’s condition and vehicle alignment in 60 seconds, to provide to the customer and ensure that they are legal and roadworthy.
There will also be four dedicated larger car and van bays for ‘while u wait’ servicing, where two qualified technicians will carry out a standard service in under an hour, making it quicker and more convenient for these customers.
The largest part of the site will be a two storey FordStore, showcasing Ford Mustang, RS and Vignale brands.
There will also be a dedicated Transit Centre and Business Centre, catering for business and retail customers in a relaxed and friendly environment. Within the new showroom customers will also enjoy a unique and fresh buyer and owner experience, including a car configurator, allowing customers to build a 3D life size image of their new car, and gain insights into the mechanics and servicing of their vehicle through digital presentations and tablets in comfortable surroundings.
The site also includes a Used Car Centre with all makes on display, totalling more than 250 used cars. It will be one of the largest family run dealerships, with over 70 years' experience, to secure a quality used car or van from within the South West. This only adds to the existing top quality service, where 98% of all used car customers surveyed by an independent company, Judge Services, would definitely recommend Vospers.
The main contractor on the £12m build is APP Construction, with several local contractors appointed to assist in the delivery of the project.
APP, one of the UK’s largest growing construction companies, specializes in the motor trade sector and recently completed one of the largest FordStores in Europe, based in Nottingham.
The nine month build programme started in early January with ground improvement works and the foundations completed by mid-February. Work on the structural steelwork is now underway and the roof is due to be fitted in late March.
The Vospers Matford development signifies a sizeable investment in the local economy, providing jobs for a total of around 200 staff. The company will also be looking to recruit additional technicians, sales and service advisors, and ancillary staff.
Vospers and APP are keen to reassure local residents and businesses that, throughout the build phase, the impact on traffic and highways will be minimal. Cycle lanes and footpaths in the area will remain open and access to the site is via a new road on Matford Way. APP have registered the site with the Considerate Constructor’s Scheme, designed to ensure the clean appearance of the site, to respect the community, protect the environment and secure everyone’s health and safety involved in the project.
The new site is due for completion in October, with new showroom launches taking place from November.
