TMS Motor Group has acquired two Volvo dealerships from Cecil & Larter as it looks to consolidate its territory in eastern England.

The two outlets – in Spalding, Lincs, and Peterborough, Cambs – will add £10m to the £45m turnover group.

Peter O'Connor, TMS deputy chairman, said: “Acquiring the business in Peterborough was a strategic move, giving us a clearly defined territory.”

TMS intends to continue expanding “when opportunities arise”, but has “no ambitions” to become a national group. “We want our business to be confined within a geographical area,” said Mr O'Connor. “It's a survival thing – if we became a national group, management would spend too much time on the road travelling between sites. They would lose touch with individual dealerships.

“There is a place for the plcs, which drive volume, and for the regional groups like TMS.”

Mr O'Connor identified Ford's Premier Automotive Group as a potential partner for expansion. “Acquiring the two Volvo dealerships puts us more in bed with Ford's Premier Automotive Group – we are comfortable with its strategy,” he said.

“Ford will do great things with its brands. In PAG chairman Wolfgang Reitzle we have the ultimate brand man.”