A NEW Mitsubishi dealership is set to open in Lowestoft and the team has already been busy spreading the word at this year’s Royal Norfolk Show.
Lings Mitsubishi will open its doors on July 28th at the multi-million pound Lings Wharf in Riverside Road – a five-acre site which has just undergone a major refurbishment.
Paul Barkshire, a Director at Lings, believes the company’s further expansion will be good news for the area, which is currently seeing major regeneration.
Paul said: “Lings and Mitsubishi is a natural fit and we’re very enthusiastic about the future. Everyone at Mitsubishi is passionate about what they do and that is the same with us here. This is part of our ongoing plan to grow the motor industry in Lowestoft. There’s a lot of regeneration going on here now so it’s an exciting time for us and an exciting time for the area.”
Lings have already been spreading the news about the upcoming opening. The company sponsors the Bold Dog FMX Team, a motocross stunt display team who starred on Britain’s Got Talent, and the team has been jumping over a Mitsubishi L200 pick-up with the Lings logo on, in front of crowds of thousands at the Royal Norfolk Show in Norwich.
Paul said: “We just can’t wait for July 28th so we can get started with Mitsubishi. There’s already been a lot of interest and we’re all very excited about the future developments.”
The Lings story started in 1874 with William Ling who was a wheelwright and blacksmith, before Peter Ling opened a shop selling motorbikes in 1936. Today it is still very much a family business as the Managing Director Chris Jary is a descendent of the Lings. They now employ 95 people across five sites with a number of other franchises in Lowestoft, Watton, Harleston and two in Ipswich.
Lings are joining Mitsubishi at an exciting time. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the Mitsubishi brand achieved a remarkable 57% year-on-year increase in passenger car sales during May.
Mitsubishi’s significant sales growth started in 2013, with passenger car sales for the year ending up 38% and Mitsubishi being crowned the UK’s fastest-growing mainstream car brand of 2013.
Lance Bradley, Managing Director for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Lings to the Mitsubishi family. They have a reputation for excellent customer service and a great passion for what they do. They are joining our network at a very exciting time and we naturally wish the business every success.’
