Barnetts delivers a Scots Volvo first 03 | 03 | 2016
ONE OF SCOTLAND'S oldest Volvo dealerships, Barnetts in Dundee, has marked its 50th anniversary with the Swedish car maker by becoming the first in the country to open a new-look Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) showroom (see more photographs of the new Barnetts Volvo VRE Concept).
Part of a £1 million redevelopment to turn its multi-franchise site at Riverside Drive into a state-of-the-art showcase for the future of car retailing, the Volvo showroom now conforms to the Swedish brand’s new Scandinavian-inspired corporate identity.
The first site in Scotland to adopt the VRE concept, the showroom features cutting-edge style and continues the long tradition of innovation and class-leading service which began when founder Bob Barnett began selling Volvos in the city's Seagate in 1965.
In the first major shift of Volvo's showroom style for 10 years, the new VRE concept sees 40% of the showroom transformed into a 'living room', with Scandinavian-designed furniture for customers to relax on, free wifi and Swedish treats and coffee. The remaining 60% becomes the 'street' displaying Volvo's new car range.
The 'living room' features a carefully-curated palette of colours, textures and natural materials. High-end design domestic furniture, lowered ceilings and dimmed lighting invite customers to relax.
Paul Barnett, son of the founder, and current chairman of Barnetts Motor Group — which operates in Tayside and Fife, employing more than 150 people, selling more than 4000 vehicles annually and which represents Volkswagen and Mazda, in addition to Volvo —has overseen the transition.
The latest development continues the company's passion for bringing the best in customer experience to Barnetts buyers: this included creating the first Volkswagen 'VRC2 Concept' showroom in the world at Riverside in December 2008.
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"We're very proud to be investing in the city once again through both this new showroom and the continued employment and training of more than 150 staff.
"It's part of a £1m investment in the site turning the multi-franchise site at Riverside Drive, Dundee, into a state-of-the-art showcase for the future of car retailing. Further plans for this year include a customer handover centre utilising hi-tech 3D projection mapping as well as a car photography studio.
"I've grown up alongside the Volvo brand, it's very close to my heart as well as being a key part of the business. I'm really excited about how in our Volvo 50th anniversary year the new showroom improves the total customer experience in so many ways and can't wait to hear directly from our customers what they think of it.
"Even if you just want to have a look, please come along and join us in our journey into the future of premium Swedish car retailing."
Related: Volvo unveils 2016 V90
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Jim McGill