Lipscomb Cars will build the UK’s first purpose-built Geely Auto showroom and service facility as part of a £3.5 million dealership investment.
The project at Chartham, Canterbury, will transform almost one acre of land beside the dealership group’s existing operation into a dedicated Geely dealership.
It will sit alongside Lipscomb’s Volvo and Stellantis dealerships on the A28, creating a multi-brand destination serving customers across East Kent.
Construction is due to start in September with the new Geely Auto dealership expected to open in the first quarter of 2027.
UK-first Geely showroom planned
The facility will include dedicated sales, servicing and aftersales operations and will create new employment opportunities.
Lipscomb launched the Geely Auto franchise at its Maidstone dealership in late 2025 and said encouraging customer demand had supported its decision to expand the brand in Canterbury.
Lipscomb is now considering a temporary sales point at the Canterbury complex to manage current customer enquiries and test drive requests before the new facility opens.
Peter Barnes, managing director of Lipscomb Holdings, said: “The response to the Geely Auto brand since first launching in Maidstone has been incredibly encouraging and we’re delighted to announce the next stage of our partnership with this exciting global manufacturer.
“This major investment demonstrates our confidence in Geely Auto’s future in the UK and our commitment to providing customers with outstanding facilities and service. The Canterbury development will not only strengthen our representation of the Geely Auto brand across Kent but will also create new employment opportunities and further enhance our presence within the local community.”
Network reaches 90 locations
Geely Auto UK has appointed more than 90 locations since beginning the development of its UK dealer network nine months ago.
Adam Harkin, dealer development director at Geely Auto UK, said: “The team at Lipscomb has backed Geely Auto as one of our first partners in the UK, and committing to a purpose-built facility within a year of launching says everything about their confidence in the brand.
“This will be the first purpose-built Geely Auto showroom in the UK, which is super exciting. We’ve appointed over 90 locations in nine months from a standing start, and investment at this level is the proof of the progress we’ve made. For customers in East Kent it means a facility designed around the brand from the ground up, and the reassurance that we’re here for the long term.”
Geely Auto is part of Geely Holding Group, which also owns or includes brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and LEVC.
Lipscomb Cars represents Volvo, Polestar, Geely Auto, Jeep, Abarth, Fiat and Fiat Professional from dealerships in Maidstone and Canterbury.
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