A MOTOR group with is expanding again with the addition of a Lotus dealership in Hampshire.

Hendy Group has been awarded Lotus franchises in locally and in Devon in addition to its existing operation for the brand in Dorset.

Details are being finalised but the Hampshire base will be in Eastleigh as part of the group’s Hendy Performance brand.

Hendy chief executive Paul Hendy: “While this year has been challenging for the whole automotive sector, we remain committed to building on our strong base and we are delighted to be adding these additional Lotus dealerships to our portfolio.”

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Hendy, headquartered at Chandlers Ford, currently 24 franchises in 65 locations in the south including a number of performance, premium and sports car brands.

“Our Dorset operation is an important part of our Performance Division and we will be looking to repeat this success in Hampshire and in Devon where we already have successful dealerships,” said Mr Hendy.

He said the new centres would be offering new and used cars sales as well as a full service and support operation.

He added: “Lotus is a tremendously exciting manufacturer to be involved with and we are looking forward to working with this iconic British company across the south and south west.

“It’s great to be providing the Hendy premium service to more Lotus customers than ever before.

“The new dealerships are being launched at a really exciting time for Lotus. The Evora, Elise and Exige ranges are iconic performance cars and we’re all eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the Type 131, and production of the Evija – the world’s first British all-electric hypercar.

“We’re thrilled to be part of a company with such a bright future.”

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Geoff Dowding, executive director for sales and aftersales at Lotus, said: “Growing our retail network with the right partners is an important step as we transform the Lotus business and brand.”

The deal is the latest of several expansions for Hendy.

Last year, it bought Jaguar Land Rover’s Southampton showroom for £4.3million.

In 2019, Hendy bought Dorset’s Westover group of car dealerships and later rebranded them under its name.