Two new Suzuki dealerships will open in South Wales and coincide with the launch of the new Splash mini-mpv in a few weeks.

Jenkins Suzuki will be officially opened in Hadfield Road, Cardiff while J & J Motors will add a fourth outlet to their portfolio across West and South Wales when the new business starts trading at Laleston, Bridgend.

Wales best known rally driver, Gwyndaf Evans, is also opening a Suzuki dealership in North Wales and the Japanese importer is looking for a suitable new partner to fill a gap at Wrexham.

They are playing a strategic part in Suzuki GB’s plan to increase their total UK network over 20pc before the end of this year and take it towards 180 showrooms.

The expansion is largely organic and created by demand for the Suzuki models and a growing appreciation of the way Suzuki GB runs its relationship with dealers.

The network consistently comes out well in trade surveys and Suzuki is often praised for the listening approach it takes to dealers and the way it assists.

With what is essentially a range of city and small cars and 4x4s, the Suzuki brand is well served to offer economical and low polluting vehicles which are increasingly being demanded by drivers facing high fuel bills and sometimes congestion charging.

The roll out of the new Splash with its clean engine technology and subsequent revisions across its range is expected to create very strong demand for the models within the M25.