Arnold Clark has completed its purchase of four dealerships from GK Group, giving the Glasgow-based dealer a foothold in Cumbria.
The group said it will honour franchise arrangements at the four dealerships: with Ford at Carlisle, Ford and Citroen at Penrith and Workington and Ford, Citroen and Peugeot at Dumfries.
It added that no jobs will be lost.
Sir Arnold Clark, chairman and chief executive, said: “We are delighted to begin trading in these areas.
“This is a new and exciting opportunity for the Arnold Clark Group and we look forward to meeting and welcoming the local communities to our new branches.
It is the first time Arnold Clark, which has 145 dealerships across the UK, has ventured into Cumbria.
GK Group, which employed 150 people at its branches across Cumbria, also operates dealerships in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.