VIRGIN tycoon Sir Richard Branson is planning to launch a national network of car supermarkets to make the most of changes to European new car sales rules.

The supermarkets will offer multi-brand showrooms, allowing buyers to examine competing models under one roof, while adopting a high volume, low margin business approach.

Opening showrooms would be the next step in building the Virgin Cars brand, which currently sells vehicles over the phone and via the internet.

The first physical site is planned to be located in the south and is due to open this year, offering 70 to 100 of the top models the firm sells, priced identically to the internet service.

Changes to the car distribution Block Exemption announced this year have altered the way new cars can be sold and in particular make it easier for dealerships to sell rival models under the same roof.