Friday, August 02, 2013
Eco-friendly dealership development gets the green light
One of the most environmentally-friendly vehicle dealerships in the UK has opened for business this week, selling and servicing all Fiat Group Automobiles products under one rain-catching roof.
The roof is just one of a raft of green, money-saving features that have been designed into the new two-acre T H White site in Hillmead, Swindon. The rain-water harvesting system provides water for car washing and toilet flushing. Even used water from the valeting bays is recycled.
Waste engine oil is stored and used to heat the building while solar panels on the front and roof of the showroom also provide energy for heat and light - with low voltage LED bulbs.
It's all part of a plan to reduce the size of the carbon footprint of the huge Fiat Brand Centre, which plans to sell more than 1,000 Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Chrysler, Abarth and Fiat Professional vehicles all out of one site.
"Big showroom but small footprint," says Peter James, dealer principal, T H White Swindon. "We have worked hard to make the site as environmentally-friendly as possible and even joined up with the local residents' association to ensure the development fitted in with its forestry surroundings.
"We extensively re-planted the area with trees and shrubs and laid boulders along the front aspect. It's a very eco-friendly site - even our fences are made of recycled plastic."
More than 25 staff have started work at the development, which opened this week (29 July). The vast showroom is divided into separate sections for each of the FGA marques, with distinct branding, decoration and furniture featured in each area.
"We are delighted that T H White has developed this superb new site," says Tim Head, dealer development director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. "It's a remarkable building with excellent fuel, water and energy saving features. It certainly paves the way for vehicle showrooms of the future."
DATED; 02.08.13
FEED: HA
