TWO Volkswagen dealerships in Oxford have been sold – after just weeks in the hands of a new owner.

The Motorworld VW sites in Iffley Road, Oxford, and Kidlington were bought by Johnson Cars in December from the Midcounties Co-op, along with six other dealerships.

They have been sold to the Ridgeway Group, along with Motorworld’s bodyshop in Enstone. The price was not disclosed.

Johnsons operations director Mike Berwick said: “It was a back-to-back deal and we sold them on almost simultaneously.

“We have kept the marques that fit with our other dealerships.”

Philip Deacon, of Ridgeway, said: “We’re expanding in a tough market, but we have strong brands and tight territory.”

Ridgeway was set up in 1997 with VW dealerships in Wantage, Newbury and Reading. It runs Audi garages in Kidlington and Newbury. The deal increases the workforce from 650 to 740.