One of the foremost automotive retail and service conglomerates in the UK, Lookers, has inaugurated a fresh Nissan dealership in Sunderland after a comprehensive £1.8 million revamp of its previous Ford site on Newcastle Road.
Around 35 staff are now employed at Lookers’ newest franchise location.
Sunderland is the official home of Nissan in the UK, where more than 6,000 people are locally employed to accelerate the Japanese car giant’s plans to create a major electric vehicle manufacturing hub to support its UK and European growth ambitions.
Lookers’ new state-of-the-art Nissan franchised dealership has now been spectacularly transformed to exacting Nissan specifications, incorporating a spectacular 12-car showroom, customer lounge areas, extensive EV charging points, new workshops and a handover bay – all carefully designed to provide local customers with a premier retail and aftersales experience.
The new Lookers Nissan dealership at 8 Newcastle Road is instantly recognisable following the installation of the striking new Nissan logo signage – the brand’s first style change in more than two decades to reflect its rich heritage and digital future.
The expansive 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 – officially the UK’s most popular new car last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
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.
“A stunning showcase for Nissan’s newest models which incorporates a wide range of used models and on-site servicing and MOTs, and supported by a passionate, knowledgeable and experience team, Lookers Nissan Sunderland puts local customers first.”
Sunderland forms part of a major multimillion-pound investment programme by Lookers in the fast-growing, innovation-focused Nissan marque in the UK and Ireland.
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.
“Nissan is consistently top of the charts among UK customers seeking value, style, reliability and the latest technology to improve their driving experience, their daily commute or juggling family life, so it’s no surprise that we’re continuing to invest in Nissan to ensure we can offer customers the best retail experience.
“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.”
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. Currently, Nissan produces thousands of popular Qashqai, Juke and LEAF models every week.
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.
‘‘We know that there will be a warm welcome at Lookers Nissan Sunderland for everyone and we send the team at the dealership every good wish for the future.’’
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.
