WORK on a state-of-the-art car dealership in Cowley is underway.

The Audi garage, which is being developed for an undisclosed sum by the Ridgeway group, will take the form of a two-storey ‘terminal-style’ building opposite the David Lloyd Racket and Healthcare centre.

It will house new, used and fleet vehicles along with a service and parts department.

John O’Hanlon, chief executive of Ridgeway, said: “Oxford Business Park offers us tremendous potential.”

Work on the site is due to be completed by the end of this summer with Ridgeway relocating its existing Audi dealership from Kidlington. James Raven, development director, at park operator Goodman, said: “Oxford Business Park has always been closely attached to the motor trade. We look forward to welcoming Ridgeway and Audi to the Park, delivering a high quality development as well as creating a significant benefit to the local economy.”

The Audi garage is the latest in a rapid expansion in the county by Ridgeway. In February it announced plans to unveil a new Maserati dealership at Cumnor Hill.

Five new jobs will be created by the new Maserati dealership, adding to the 297 staff already employed by the firm in the county with more appointments to follow when Audi garage opens its doors. Last summer it bought the Jaguar garage at Cumnor Hill from Sytner and the nearby Land Rover dealership from Hartwell.

Ridgeway has grown significantly since it set up a Volkswagen dealership in Wantage in 1997. Since then, it has bought several individual dealers in Oxford and Reading before acquiring the Pentagon Group in 2006, giving it a network across southern England employing almost 1,200 staff.