CAR retailer Charles Hurst is to invest £2 million in a new Cupra dealership in Belfast, creating 26 jobs.
Cupra was launched as a standalone lifestyle and sports car brand in 2018 by Spanish car manufacturer Seat, which is ultimately owned by Volkswagen.
UK sales of the Cupra brand jumped from 7,584 in 2021 to 14,383 in last year.
Charles Hurst is owned by Lookers PLC, which has been subject of a takeover move by Canada’s Global Auto Holding.
The car dealer operates from eight sites in the north and two in the Republic. Its main base of operations is in the Boucher Road area of Belfast.
The company say the new Cupra and Seat dealership will open later in 2023.
Group operations director Jeff McCartney said it will expand the range of hybrid and all-electric vehicles available across the company.
Charles Hurst has already invested £2.2 million in a new Toyota showroom this year. It also spent £1m refurbishing two Nissan dealerships in Belfast and Newtownards and £3m in redeveloping its Boucher Road parts centre,
It is also advancing plans to launch the north’s only Lotus dealership after striking an agreement with the premium sports car maker last year.
Lotus would join its other upmarket showrooms for Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley and Aston Martin.
“Since the start of this year, we’ve invested around £8m across our dealership estate, increasing choice and creating new jobs as part of an ambitious strategy to drive new growth and success, as we look toward an all-electric driving future,” said Mr McCartney.
