THE first Ford Direct supersite in the UK has officially opened in a joint venture between the manufacturer and Peoples Group.

Earl Hesterberg, vice-president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe opened the canvas-covered site, which is based in Prescot, near Liverpool. The site is the first of its kind in Europe and stocks 230 nearly-new cars, with 2,000 sales expected in the first year under the Ford Direct scheme.

All models in the Ford range are available including commercial vehicles, the majority less than a year old and come with RAC approval, 24 months free RAC roadside assistance membership and a two-year unlimited mileage warranty and 30-day exchange guarantee.

Ford plans to build nine other supersites around the UK and when it has reached its target of 10 sites, believes 90% of the car-buying public will live within a 40 minute drive of a centre.

In 2001 42,000 cars were sold through Ford Direct, compared to 36,712 in 2000. The most popular model was the Ford Focus.