ONE of the north’s biggest family-owned vehicle retailers is marking 50 years in business by launching a £3 million capital investment programme across its multi-franchise retail sites.
Shelbourne Motors (www.shelbournemotors.com) says it will undertake a major programme of renovations and upgrades across its dealerships in Portadown and Newry.
It commenced with the Nissan dealership in Portadown adopting the Japanese car manufacturer’s new visual identity, and the programme will continue with the transformation of Shelbourne's Toyota, Renault, Kia and Dacia dealerships in line with each manufacturer’s retail and customer service concepts.
Renovations will focus on modern and sustainable-focused designs which will include updated state-of-the-art showrooms with the latest technologically advanced features, new car handover bays, enhanced customer service facilities and electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
Shelbourne Motors director Paul Ward said: “This is a significant investment in the future growth of our business as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.
“The £3m investment will allow us to continue to focus on delivering a quality customer experience across our franchise network and creating jobs across all areas of the business that supports the local economy.”
Shelbourne Motors was founded in 1973 when owner Fred Ward converted his former forecourt business into a used car sales unit.
Led by the second generation of the Ward family, it now sells more than 5,000 new and used cars a year and currently employs more than 150 staff.
Meanwhile new all-electric car brand ORA Funky Cat is coming to Belfast, with a new showroom opening exclusively at Charles Hurst in March at its 40-acre Boucher Road complex.
Charles Hurst is the third dealership within parent company Lookers’ network to take on the new brand, with the ORA Funky Cat first edition being described as “a game-changer for the EV market”.
