Motor retailing group Lancaster plc has taken over the Chrysler and Jeep franchise for Chelmsford and Southend as part of a regional expansion programme.

Lancaster, which was founded in 1969 in Brentwood with a single motor dealership, now takes over the Hadleigh Carport and Southend Chrysler and Jeep outlets in Chelmsford.

The Chelmsford and Southend branches will join the group's other dealerships in Bishop's Stortford and Ipswich to form a market area covering Essex and East Anglia.

John Graves, Divisional Director for Lancaster Plc, said: "This is an exciting period in the development of Lancaster plus Chrysler and Jeep in the UK, and we are confident local motorists will benefit from our devotion to satisfying the needs of our customers."

Published Thursday December 11, 2003