Charles Hurst buys Audi Centre in Dublin

The Northern Ireland based car dealership Charles Hurst Ltd, is taking over the south Dublin franchise for Audi in September.

The Belfast based group, one of the largest dealerships on the island, has purchased the recently opened Audi Centre Ltd in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Audi Centre Ltd currently operates across two sites in Dublin, with sales facilities in Ballsbridge and a new aftersales centre in nearby Sandyford, close to the M50 motorway.

All 25 existing employees have been retained and plans are underway for future development of the flagship centre which includes recruitment of additional staff and the introduction of new site facilities.

Charles Hurst already has the franchise for Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley and Aston Martin in the Republic.

The company will be investing 'significantly' in the coming months and working with Audi Ireland to be ready for an upturn in the economy.

Fintan Knight, MD of Audi Ireland said the deal 'is an important part of our drive to become the number one prestige car brand in Ireland by 2015'.

The business will operate under the Charles Hurst brand, but continue to trade as 'Audi Centre Ltd'. The agreement will be completed by the start of September.