10:41 am, September 5, 2017
NEW jobs are being created in the north-east of England as Jennings Motor Group expands further.
The project will see more Kia and Mazda franchises added to its portfolio, with a two-storey site – a former showroom next to Sunderland Football Club’s Stadium of Light – scheduled to undergo a total refurbishment.
No dates are being given for when the work will start or when the new dealerships will open, but once finished the new showrooms will complement the group’s existing Kia sites in Stockton and Washington, as well as its Middlesbrough-based Mazda site.
Group managing director Nas Khan, pictured, said: ‘We are delighted to announce the expansion of the company’s Kia and Mazda dealerships to Wearside, which is also giving a boost to the region’s economy with the creation of 24 jobs.
‘Both sites will provide the full range of new models available across each marque, in addition to quality approved used cars and a range of aftersales facilities, including service, MOT and parts.
‘Plans are also in place to extend the existing building by 20 per cent to further increase the showroom sizes, but that is scheduled at a later date.’
Each 200 sq m showroom at the new Wearside location will boast a five-vehicle display and include new high-specification finishes, fittings and lighting. The work will also see an eight-ramp workshop and MOT bay installed, plus an independent valet building.
Jennings Kia has been in Washington, Tyne and Wear, since 2011 and Stockton, Teesside, since 2013. The group’s Mazda dealership in Middlesbrough officially opened for business in 2003.
The group employs 524 people across 12 dealerships representing Ford, Kia, Mazda and Seat. It also includes Ford Transit Centres for commercial vehicles, a Ford Direct site for Ford-approved cars and a Jennings Used Car Outlet.
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