AM100 dealer group set to rise ranks after takeover in South West

Dealer group Vospers is set to rise the ranks of the AM100 following its takeover of another multi-franchised dealer group in its region.

Plymouth-based Vospers has acquired County Garages Group, which operates Vauxhall, Renault, Dacia, Kia and Suzuki dealerships in North Devon.

Family-owned Vospers already represents Vauxhall, since its 2023 takeover of the franchise in Plymouth from Evans Halshaw, but the other brands are new opportunities for the business, which is a long established motor retail brand in the South West.

The additional businesses will add more than £35 million turnover to Vospers, which is ranked at 66 by turnover in the current AM100 listing.

It means that Vospers could overtake other large regional groups such as CEM Day and Eden Motor Group to enter the 50s when Automotive Management compiles its new AM100 list this November.

Vospers' managing director Nick Vosper said: "We’re delighted to welcome this outstanding business and its excellent team into the Vospers family. It provides a strong platform for future growth in the region."

The strategic addition marks a significant step in Vospers' ongoing growth journey, strengthening its presence across Devon and Cornwall and bringing another four modern showrooms into the group.

He said it is an excellent foundation to expand the group's footprint in Devon and Cornwall, and added that County Garages is a business with a long-standing reputation for customer excellence and community values – perfectly aligned with Vospers' own.

Chairman Peter Vosper added: “A heartfelt thank you to the previous owners – especially Nick (Williams) and Andy (Witherington) – for their partnership and support. We look forward to flourishing together in this exciting new chapter.”

The Vospers leadership team has already met County Garages staff and are working with them to ensure a smooth and collaborative transition for staff, customers and partners.

In a 2017 interview with Automotive Management Peter Vosper noted then that increasing scale, efficiency and property investments was key for regional dealer groups to thrive but they were still in need of supportive OEMs.

County Garage won the 2024 Dacia Dealer of the Year award and in 2023 it won Renault's Customer Experience Dealer of the Year award and Land Rover's Authorised Repairer of the Year award.

County Garage was supported through the deal process by the Cooper Parry automotive team and its corporate finance partner David Kendrick, who added: "County Garage is a fantastic business, and one that has excelled in North Devon throughout the years. They have an amazing brand and reputation, and it makes absolute sense for Vospers to add this business to their portfolio. I have no doubt the business will continue to grow and flourish as part of a bigger group – as well as giving Nick and the shareholders a well-earned retirement."