Exeter’s Matford Green and Marsh Barton motor dealership hub has taken pole position in the South West automotive sector boasting the biggest concentration of facilities in Europe, according to sector experts Colliers International.
The joint agents appointed to market Matford Green Business Park are reporting a surge of enquiries for the 27 acre business park.
Will Jolly from Colliers International’s Automotive and Roadside team said: “Exeter has become the hub for dealership operations in the South West and now comprises the biggest grouping of facilities in Europe with more than 30 different manufacturers represented within a 1.5 mile stretch at Matford and Marsh Barton.”
Will Jolly said the expansion was based on higher expectations from the rapidly recovering car industry.
“Manufacturers are increasing their range of vehicles and creating numerous variations within each class, this, together with the increased pressure for additional external sales and customer parking areas, is creating a demand for bigger and better quality properties from which to sell and service their product.
“This all leads to an enhanced customer experience and greater brand loyalty.”
Colliers International’s Automotive and Roadside team has have concluded a leasehold deal to relocate Volkswagen and construction will commence shortly.
Will Jolly said: “This has acted as the catalyst to a vastly increased level of interest in the site from dealer groups and manufacturers as they look to improve the sites and buildings from which they operate in the South West.
“We have also agreed terms for a site sale to Snows Group for Toyota/Lexus and are in discussion with a number of other dealership groups. Demand is sufficiently strong that we are now considering development of areas originally allocated for industrial and warehouse uses. Land purchase and freehold or leasehold design and build opportunities are available.”
Noel Stevens from Alder King added: “We have also seen a rise in enquiries for industrial and particularly trade counter uses where it seems that the Automotive activity is attracting other complementary activity for the only green field development site left in this part of Exeter.
“Matford is a high profile location and the new deals we’ve done have only served to strengthen the appeal to trade occupiers.”
