Carco dealerships to be rebranded by new AM100 owner

Renault and Dacia dealerships in Bristol are being rebranded following franchisee Carco Group selling up to an AM100 dealer group.

Carco Group has represented Renault for more than 45 years in Bristol through its SJ Cook and City Motors branded dealerships, which also represent the other Renault Group brands, Dacia and Alpine plus Renault Pro+ commercial vehicles.

But owner Robin Cook has sold the £70 million turnover business to Renault Retail Group, the AM100 motor retailer owned by carmaker Renault.

Renault Retail Group now has 19 car and van dealerships in the UK.

In a statement to customers, Carco's leadership team said: "While we are now part of a larger group, the same local staff, technicians, and customer service team will continue to serve you. We remain a part of the Bristol and surrounding community, just with the added support and resources of Renault Retail Group.

"There will be no changes to the staff or management teams," it continued. "All existing services for Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and other vehicles will continue as usual. The change is in branding only."

Carco Group had also continued to operate a used Volvo specialist site after it lost the Bristol Volvo franchise to Waylands in 2021. Waylands subsequently built a new dealership conforming to the Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) corporate identity.

Until recently it had also operated Peugeot and Citroen dealerships at Bristol for Stellantis, in newly built showrooms. These have since closed.

Cook has been a close partner with Renault for years and has served as chairman of its frachise board in the past.