MERCEDES-BENZ has created 10 new jobs in Dartford with an upgrade of its sales and service areas. The facelift at Burnham Road is part of a multi-million pound nationwide investment in its dealer network following the creation of DaimlerChrysler UK Retail a year ago.

Since October 2001, £48 million has been spent in acquiring, developing, relocating and refurbishing the Mercedes-Benz network, including Burnham Road and a new retail store in Bluewater, the first car showroom in an out-of-town shopping mall.

The business has grown from 219 people in 16 locations to 1,860 people across 38 sites. Dartford-based after-sales manager Andy Hyde, said: " Mercedes-Benz customers won't recognise the new state-of-the-art showroom and after-sales centre that is being created. It is already more 'customer-friendly' with a comfortable reception area and more car parking space.

"The service centre will be more technologically advanced with new hi-tech equipment including wheel alignment bays, specialised inspection ramps for models such as the smart city car, and the latest cleaning and valeting machines."