A MAJOR new Rover dealership will open in Oxford next year - right beside the Rover car plant, writes David Duffy.

The dealership, on a two-acre site which forms part of the Rover factory complex, will be operated by Hartwell.

Peter Whitton, who will be general manager responsible for the new site, said: "It is a very exciting project. I hope that it will be Rover's most prestigious dealership."

The new showrooms, which will be built at the junction of Oxford's Eastern Bypass and Horspath Road, are expected to be opened in the middle of next year.

The new Cowley dealership will start operating just months after the launch of Rover's new 75 luxury saloon, unveiled this week at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham.

Mr Whitton said Rover had applied for planning permission for the Cowley site, to replace Hartwell's previous Rover dealership in Botley Road, Oxford.

Mr Whitton said in the meantime staff had moved from Botley Road to Hartwell's site in Drayton Road, Abingdon, where the sales, service and parts departments have been expanded.

Earlier this year Hartwell moved its Land Rover dealership from Botley Road to new showrooms at Cumnor.

No-one was willing to comment on the possible future use of the Botley Road showroom site.

Hartwell also has Ford showrooms at its Seacourt Tower headquarters and at Watlington Road, Cowley, close to Rover's plant, which it acquired from Rover in 1996.

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