A West Yorkshire company has invested over £1m into building two new businesses and delivering new jobs to the region.
The old Dixon Citroen and Nissan sites at Birstall Smithies have been transformed by Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), to house the UK’s first dedicated lifestyle vehicle showroom and an assured used van centre.
After six months of building work, the (West Yorkshire) Active Life and Van Craft sites opened (8 August 2011) initially creating six jobs, that is expected to double within twelve months.
Andrew Caygill, director at Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), explained the investment: “The (West Yorkshire) Active Life site is the first in the country to offer customers a standalone centre for the new generation of Volkswagen campervans.
“The popularity of Volkswagen lifestyle vehicles, including the Caravelle, California and Caddy Maxi Life, has seen sales increase by over 1,000 per cent since 2005 and it’s vital we provide customers with a business arena that delivers what they want.
“This is a pilot scheme for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and I’m sure it’ll be a huge success.”
Alongside the Active Life building, on the 2.2 acre site, will be Van Craft, housing assured used Volkswagen vans.
Andrew added: “Van Craft will lift the lid on the perceived image of the used vans sales arena.
“The new building will have over 30 vehicles indoors, allowing customers time and comfort to browse the stock; just like a high street store.”