Bentley Motors has bought a 27.91% shareholding in HR Owen, the UK prestige motor retail group.

In a statement to London Stock Exchange, HR Owen said it has been advised by Bentley that it has no present intention to increase its stake in the dealer. It is believed that Bentley bought the stake from the Australian car dealer Neville Crichton, following rumours that Crichton or some Dubai-based investment groups could make a move on the dealer group.

HR Owen, headed by chief executive Nick Lancaster, operates the world famous Jack Barclay Bentley showroom in London. Its other specialist franchises include Rolls-Royce Motors, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Bugatti.

Lancaster said: “We don’t see this as an unfriendly move." He plans to meet with Bentley.