The firm is to recruit 500 sales staff, 120 apprentices and 80 supporting roles at the group's new sales developments and newly acquired sites in the North of England.
The positions are being created within the Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Manchester, Warrington, Stafford and Huddersfield areas and recruiting is to start immediately.
Sir Arnold Clark, chairman and chief executive, said: "The automotive industry is constantly changing and developing. With car sales being a more involved job, our sales teams need to spend more time with customers helping to establish their needs, to further reinforce the group's ethos to ensure that we provide genuine value for money and create high levels of customer satisfaction.
"We not only wish to employ 700 new members of staff but we are committed to investing heavily in training them, whether it is at our Arnold Clark Sales Academy or as a modern apprentice in motor mechanics."
Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling commented: "The announcement is very good news. The UK car market is a vital part of our economy."
