CAR DEALER MAGAZINE
Inchcape completes £1.3bn Derco takeover in Latin America region
Inchcape has completed its £1.3bn buyout of Latin America’s biggest independent automotive distributor Derco.
A statement issued via the London Stock Exchange this morning confirmed the news in the run-up to Christmas that the buyout was poised to be completed by the end of 2022.
The deal was originally announced on July 28 and, said Inchcape, extends its global automotive distribution footprint by combining Inchcape Americas with Derco, has sites in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Bolivia.
MOTOR TRADER
Riverside Motors acquires Volvo franchise in Leeds from Marshall
Riverside Motor Group has extended its Volvo representation across Yorkshire with the acquisition of Volvo Leeds from Marshall Motors in December.
Riverside now has Volvo dealerships in Doncaster, Hull, Wakefield, and Leeds. The company also holds the Seat, Cupra and Honda franchises.
Mark Denton, managing director at Riverside Motor Group, said: “We are delighted to have acquired our fourth Volvo retailer and expand our footprint across Yorkshire.
MOTOR TRADER
Inchcape expands bravoauto network with four new stores
New bravoauto stores have opened in Swindon, Warrington, Towcester and Norwich.
The latest stores bring Inchcape UK’s used car arm to a total of 17 stores, with almost 1,000 cars listed and sold with 12-months warranty, 12-month breakdown cover and 21-day money back guarantee.
Rebecca Sides, bravoauto franchise director, said: “bravoauto launched in November 2021 with the ambition of giving customers a truly unique buying experience by offering multiple ways to purchase their next car, whether fully or partially online or in store supported by our knowledgeable teams.
MOTOR TRADER
Hendy begins work on multi-franchise site in Eastleigh
Hendy has begun work on a new dealership in Eastleigh.
Additional features in the new development include a two-deck car storage facility to maximise space on site, at least 10 electric vehicle charging bays, and solar panels.
Hendy Group chief executive Paul Hendy said the partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council will create an environmentally friendly development employing around 45 people.
AM ONLINE
Lookers submits plan to consolidate Mercedes and Smart dealerships
Lookers has submitted a planning application which would unite its Mercedes-Benz and Smart dealerships in Brighton under one roof.
An application for planning permission submitted to Brighton & Hove City Council reveals that the AM100 PLC wants to demolish its two existing facilities on Victoria Road, Brighton, to make way for a two-story replacement.
The site, currently comprised of a Mercedes dealership built in 2006 and a landmark cylindrical Smart dealership, currently employs 96 people – six of which are part time – but the plans could create a further 15 roles, the application said.
MOTOR TRADER
Arnold Clark hit by cyber attack in late December
Arnold Clark has confirmed that it was hit by a cyber attack late on the evening of 23rd December.
The attack resulted in the Group bringing down its network voluntarily as a protective measure, which resulted in cutting connectivity to the internet, dealerships and its third-party connections.
The Group took to LinkedIn to explained the situation. It said: “Our priority has been to protect our customers’ data, our systems and our third-party partners. While this has been achieved, this action has caused temporary disruption to our business and unfortunately our customers.
CAR DEALER MAGAZINE
Asking your partner to marry you is one of the most romantic events in a person’s life so you would imagine that the shine may be slightly taken away if the question was popped in a bustling car dealership.
But that was not the case for one happy couple who are to marry after getting hitched during a vehicle handover at Bristol Street Motors York Renault Dacia.
While to some (okay most) people, the location may not sound like the most romantic, it was exactly what Zoey Mclaughlin wanted from her boyfriend, James Landragin.
