Motus Commercials has opened a new dealership in Gloucester, providing Daf trucks and Fiat Professional vans.

The three-acre facility replaces the group’s Mercia Road Daf site. It is located on Spinnaker Road, 1.5 miles from the company’s previous location.

Matt Lawrenson, Motus Commercials’ managing director, said: “We have developed strong relationships over the years with Daf operators and others in the area, as well as with the manufacturer, and this new site is a clear statement of intent from us. We might be the biggest Daf dealer group in Europe already, but we are not resting on our laurels. Wherever it is sensible to do so, we will look to grow and develop our Daf footprint in the UK. Our team in Mercia Road has delivered exceptional levels of service on a consistent basis year after year, and they are the ones who have made this development possible.”

All staff from the earlier site have transferred to the new facility.

The new dealership is the result of a £5m investment, featuring a state-of-the-art workshop with nine truck bays, a drive through inspection bay, ADR bay and fully equipped tacho bay.  In addition, there are four LCV bays and an MoT bay for Class IV, V and VII vehicles.

It will offer 24-hour opening four days per week to support local operators with servicing and repairs.

Motus Commercials, previously Imperial Commercials, sold more than 7,500 new and used vehicles in 2018. It operates 29 Daf sites across the country and also has three MAN sales and support sites, as well as a network of Ford, VW, Isuzu, Fiat and LDV sites.

The dealer group recently acquired four DAF dealerships from F&G Commercials, along with a commercial body-building operation and a vehicle repair centre.

Motus Commercials is a division of Motus Group, which holds the automotive interests of S&B Commercials, Orwell Truck & Van and Pentagon Motor Group.  Together, its business includes 123 vehicle franchise outlets at 79 locations. The business additionally operates three specialist commercial vehicle body-building facilities and a repair centre, and has further interests in parts and service facilities and commercial vehicle equipment supply.