FJ Chalke, a dealer group based at Warminster, Wiltshire, has paid more than £1m to acquire Vale Motors of Wincanton and its freehold site.

James Chalke, managing director of FJ Chalke, says Vale’s annual sales of around £5m take his group’s turnover close to £20m.

FJ Chalke will retain the trading name of Vale Motors, which holds the Subaru/Isuzu and Fiat franchises. Owner Frank Falbo, who founded the business in 1990, decided to sell it and retire.

FJ Chalke has Nissan dealerships at Wincanton, and in Yeovil, and a Kia outlet at Mere.

“We do not have any immediate plans to expand further, but we’re big enough now to look at any opportunities,” says Chalke.

“We’re also in a good position financially, as we do not have any borrowings.”

Steve Fowler, the FJ Chalke director in charge of the Nissan dealership in Wincanton, is now also responsible for the newly acquired site.

“We have held the Nissan franchise for 20 years, and it has always been good to us,” says Chalke. “We are in a fairly rural area and have customers for Nissan’s strong 4x4 line-up.

“Subaru has had a hard year, but I believe it is a franchise with a great deal of potential, and that the only way it can move is up.”