Waylands Automotive has added a third Volvo Car UK dealership to its growing franchised operation with the acquisition of Volvo Cars Swindon.

From the original purchase of Volvo Cars Reading in November 2017 and Fawcetts Volvo in May 2018, Waylands continues to extend its Volvo representation along the M4 corridor, cementing its partnership with the Volvo brand, chief executive John O’Hanlon told AM.

“We are pleased that we have successfully completed this transaction. Swindon represents a territory with huge potential and is contiguous to our Newbury and Reading market area," he said.

"We look forward to working with the team at Swindon and meeting our new and existing customers."

The deal to acquire the two-acre Volvo Swindon site from AM100 group Johnsons Cars was completed on August 31. The facility includes a car display and parking for almost 200 vehicles.

Prior to last week's acquisition Waylands employed more than 60 people across two Volvo sites - on Bennet Road, Reading, and Fawcetts, Newbury. 

O'Hanlon added: "We are working on plans to fully implement Volvo’s new retail concept 'VRE' onto the site which will create one of the best motor retail environments in the region.

"This is another key step in our ambition to add further scale to the business, and to realise our stated plan of £100 million turnover by 2021.”

Last week Waylands welcomed James Smullen (right) and Richard Spencer (left) as directors, joining chief executive John O’Hanlon on the Volvo franchised retailer's board.

Smullen joins Waylands as finance director having previously worked for Ridgeway and Marshall Motors Group.

He joined Ridgeway after qualifying as a chartered accountant with Grant Thornton and specialising in motor retail.

Spencer joins as aftersales director and brings a wealth of experience to the new business.

He started in the trade with Hartwell rising to group service manager before spending 17 years with Ridgeway as group aftersales director, where he reported to O'Hanlon.

O’Hanlon, said: “It is great to be working with them again. They bring a wealth of knowledge, drive and enthusiasm to this young business that will make a difference. 

“We are building a team that deliver fantastic performance for our brand partners and our customers. 

"From our previous experience of working together I know James and Richard will be pivotal in the smooth achievement of this goal.”