A MOTOR group is pumping more than £1m into two of its Oxford dealerships.

This weekend, Autofrancais, the Oxford-based Citroen dealership of the Ixion Motor Group, is moving from Cumnor Hill to a site next to the park and ride in Abingdon Road.

The move will make space at Cumnor Hill for a new dealership to be built for TWR Jaguar. Work is due to start on Monday.

Planning permission has been given for the Jaguar dealership to be built, including a large showroom, workshop space and improved parking.

Details of the building's design are expected to be revealed within two weeks and work is due to be finished by the end of the year.

Martin Penny, Ixion's regional operations director, said: "We have now found the best location solution for our Jaguar and Citroen businesses in Oxford.

"Additional space is required for TWR Jaguar now, to cope with increased sales volume created by the launch of the new S-Type saloon, which is just the start of an exciting new model line-up from Jaguar expected over the next few years.

"Citroen has long outgrown its premises and Abingdon Road will provide space and awareness that has not been possible to achieve at Cumnor Hill."

Meanwhile Hartwell Properties has exchanged contracts with the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op's Motorworld division to take the first plot on the new Oxford Motor Park site at Langford Lane, Kidlington, for a Volkswagen dealership.

Vivienne Spurge of FPD Savills, acting on behalf of Hartwell, said: "We were waiting for one large brand name to take a site and believe that this will now be the catalyst for further transactions."

The 11.7-acre site will eventually house eight dealerships and two body shops, with buildings ranging from 10,000 to 18,000 sq ft.

Story date: Wednesday 12 May

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