EXPANSION is on the cards for automotive group Hendy.

The company has confirmed major investment plans in the South East following a record year.

Plans include new facilities in Crawley and Gatwick.

The investment news comes 12 months after Hendy acquired the Lifestyle Group in the South East, a move chief executive Paul Hendy said had been an excellent one for the company.

He said: “The last 12 months have been transformational for the group and we are now reaping the rewards of a customer and staff-focused company which is committed to further growth in the future.

“Integrating the Lifestyle business into Hendy has been exciting and everything has gone to plan.

“We have amazing teams of people working across the business and have seen record results in all areas of the company from new and used car sales, aftersales, commercial vehicle operations and our power product and marine divisions.”

Paul said the synergy between the two companies had contributed to the excellent results with the investment programme part of the firm’s long-term expansion plans.

He said: “The engagement of staff and customers cannot be underestimated and we see the next 12 months as another exciting chapter in the Hendy story.”

Investment plans in Sussex include new facilities for Ford and Mazda in Crawley, together with the arrival of Suzuki to further widen Hendy’s offering in the county.

In Brighton the group is now the authorised repairer for Mazda in the region, extending its representation of the manufacturer to six sites, including an upgraded showroom in Eastbourne.