Lookers charges ahead with Northeast investment, growth and additional jobs in new car retail and servicing concept
Lookers is on course to open ‘Lookers Car HUB’, a new multimillion-pound investment which specialises in multi-franchise sales, service, maintenance and cosmetic repair, with expansive EV charging facilities and an on-site ‘education and experience centre’ to support growing consumer demand and enquiries for all-electric driving options.
This new state-of-the-art facility will be based in Middlesbrough and will open later this year after getting the planning go-ahead from Middlesbrough Council. Lookers is investing around £6 million to create the future-focused, landmark dealership for the city and region.
The expansive 25,500 square-metre site, which is located off Cargo Fleet Lane and South Bank Road, will also accommodate a standalone Ford dealership which will be located adjacent to the new, fully-branded Lookers’ Car “HUB”.
A separate standalone dealership is also being constructed on site to accommodate an additional dealership which will be integral to the new site.
Last year, Lookers was the first dealership in England to be authorised to retail the new ORA EV brand by Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors, becoming the first franchisee for the fast-growing international. It also recently a major strategic partnership with MG Motor UK to drive EV sales in Brighton and Worcester.
Lookers’ Chief Operating Officer Duncan McPhee, said:
“Committed to growth, value and excellence in every part of our business, we’re delighted to spearhead major change, innovation and investment in the Northeast where we plan to roll out an exciting, new multi-franchise dealership that meets the buying and servicing needs of every customer and which priorities EV driving for a new generation.
Our new Lookers Car HUB also represents our confidence in Middlesbrough and the wider area, in our staff and in the local communities which we serve.”
Lookers has been rapidly expanding its footprint in EV sales while driving strategic new investment in its nationwide network of dealerships as part of its commitment to be the UK’s number one choice for EV sales and servicing. Last year, it invested £3 million in a major redevelopment of its nearby Volkswagen Teesside franchise, transforming the site.
Additional jobs will be created at the new car retail HUB in Middlesbrough, bringing Lookers’ staff numbers in the area up to around 200.
“Our all-new Car HUB delivers unrivalled choice and value in the provision of used cars, first class servicing and cosmetic repair and with a focus on helping even more customers join us on the journey towards a more sustainable, all-electric driving future,” Duncan McPhee said.
“At Lookers, we’re committed to providing everyone with the information, advice and support that they need to make the right choice for them.”
Lookers has been charging ahead in its bid to be the UK leader in EV driving over the last number of years.
This year, it partnered with clean energy brand Egg to provide and install electric vehicle charging infrastructure across its dealership network. Egg will be Lookers’ exclusive supplier of EV charging equipment and services, including installation, service and maintenance on a variety of chargers through from fast 7 kWh AC units to rapid 150 kWh DC chargers.
Lookers has also partnered with electric vehicle and home charging comparison service Rightcharge. It also announced an innovative tie-up with EV charging locator and mapping specialist Zap-Map, helping more customers find the locations of thousands of electric charging points nearest to them.
In 2021, it joined forces with racing driver, broadcaster and journalist Amanda Stretton who completed a 1,500-mile EV sprint from Kent to Glasgow to highlight the difference that plug-in driving can make in reducing emissions and advancing sustainability in the run up to COP26. View here: Lookers Electric Journey – YouTube
Founded in Manchester in 1908, Lookers, one of the UK’s leading automotive and aftersales service groups, represents more than 30 leading car manufacturers in over 150 dealerships, employing 6,500 people across the UK and Ireland.
For more information, see www.lookers.co.uk.