JACKSONS Group Limited is planning to buck the shrinking automotive industry trend by opening up a new dealership in Christchurch.

Throughout December the company is preparing its new site at Iford Bridge near Christchurch for the official opening of Jacksons Select, which is set to take place on January 2, 2009.

The Jacksons Select brand is being designed as a prestige used vehicle operation and provides the group, which operates Mercedes-Benz retail outlets in Poole, Dorchester and Salisbury, with a foothold in the east of its market territory.

The new operation will be focused entirely on the sale of prestige marques with Mercedes-Benz vehicles being most prominent.

Commenting on the imminent launch, David Weston, group sales director, explained: “Jacksons Select will be run exactly like our other sites so customers can expect to receive a highly professional service that is conducted to main dealer standards.”

He added that vehicles will be fully prepared in the Mercedes-Benz workshops before going out onto the forecourt and presented in “drive away” condition.

“What’s more, our experienced sales team will be trained to Financial Services Authority standards in order to offer best advice in all aspects of vehicle funding and insurance-related sales.

“The opening of Jacksons Select is an exciting development for the group and we are certainly not daunted by the current market conditions.”