SOUTHAMPTON’S new-est car dealer now has the official Hyundai franchise for the city.

Richmond – which took over the Inchcape Renault site in March – is already Hyundai’s top UK dealer with franchises in Portsmouth and Bognor Regis, West Sussex.

Richmond will continue to sell and service Renaults at the West Quay Road site, having kept on all the Renault-trained technicians.

But the business is already expanding, as managing director Michael Nobes brings in his Hyundai-trained staff.

The Hyundai range of cars are continuing to defy the recession. Richmond sales in Portsmouth and Bognor were up 102 per cent year-on-year to January.

Hyundai around the UK saw sales rise 5.6 per cent over the same period, in a market down 30 per cent. Three other dealerships in Britain have also just become Hyundai franchises.

Hyundai’s stylish superminis like the i10 and i20 are proving a hit with cost and fuel-conscious motorists. And Mr Nobes says Hyundai’s famous five-year unlimited mileage warranty has been key to the success of the range.

He said: “Customers want more for their money in these tough times. They are attracted by the price of the cars and the extra warranty shows Hyundai really have confidence in their own product. Why would you settle for three years when you can have five?”

Richmond staff have been preparing for months for the new franchise, which was exclusively revealed by The Daily Echo.

Telephone and computer systems have had to be installed as well as Hyundai livery and two teams of technicians will now work side by side in the 14-bay service department.

Mr Nobes has already seen service work increase at the site after slashing prices of all work by 25 per cent.

And for the first time, Hyundai drivers in Southampton will be able to pay a few pounds a week for their servicing rather than shelling out one lump sum.

Mr Nobes said: “We’re helping our customers through this recession by allowing them to spread the cost interest-free all year. We will even let them delay the whole bill for six months, also interest-free.

“It’s initiatives like this that have kept our business buoyant in Portsmouth and Bognor and we are confident motorists in Southampton will also appreciate them.”

Mike Staunton, Hyundai’s national franchise development manager, said: “We are extremely pleased to have Richmond opening another Hyundai franchise on the south coast, they are a great ambassador of our brand.”

As the largest group of dealerships on the south coast, Hyundai Richmond offers the biggest choice of new and used Hyundai cars.