The UK’s large car retail groups and PLCs will be joined by international investors and disruptors such as Cazoo and Constellation Automotive in what is likely be a record year for mergers and acquisitions.
Auto Trader is set to take control of the Vanarama leasing business after agreeing a deal to acquire its parent business Autorama.
Swedish car retailer Hedin Group could be lining up a second takeover bid for Pendragon after having an initial £400m offer rejected, it has been reported.
Park’s Motor Group has extended its representation of Renault, Dacia, MG and Nissan with the acquisition of Mackie Motors’ Arbroath and Brechin car dealerships.
Inchape is pulling out of the Russian market as a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
BMW Group has bought Alpina and will bring the turning firm in-house.
Chorley Group managing director Adam Turner has said further growth is on the cards after the family-run car retail group added two new Citroen dealerships with the acquisition of BCC Cars.
Johnsons Cars has added six Volkswagen and Skoda dealerships and its first Trade Parts Specialists (TPS) businesses through the acquisition of Trust Group UK.
Park’s Motor Group has joined the Lexus franchise and added to its representation of Hyundai, Skoda and Toyota through the acquisition of Borders Motor Group.
Drayton Motors has celebrated its 2021 car retail success with the return of its annual awards after securing the acquisition of Cropleys Suzuki and adding the Maxus franchise to its portfolio.
Accident Repair Group Alton Cars Ltd has been acquired in a Management Buyout (MBO) which secures a succession plan for founder Tony Parish.
Lloyd Motor Group is set for further expansion with the acquisition of Windermere-based Kia retail group Rayrigg Motors.
Sherwoods Motor Group has targeted further growth with Stellantis after it added a second Citroen franchise through the acquisition of Sunderland car retailer Town Centre Automobiles.
Constellation Automotive’s private equity fund owner TDR Capital is set to dispose of its LeasePlan vehicle leasing business after securing a €4.9 billion (£4.1bn) sale.
Keyloop has continued its strategy “to build, to buy and to partner” its way to growth with the acquisition of Peter Vardy’s online car retail software provider SilverBullet.
Vertu Motors has deployed some of its “M&A firepower” to complete the £9.2 million acquisition of two-site Toyota franchised car retailer Farmer and Carlisle.
Marshall Motor Group’s board has highlighted the “responsibilities of ownership of MMH” in a statement recommending the acceptance of Constellation Automotive’ s £201.6 million takeover offer.
Halfords has redoubled its focus on offering vehicle servicing and tyres with the £62 million acquisition of the National service centre network.
Steer Automotive Group has laid claim to the title of “UK’s fastest growing accident repair group” after completing the acquisition of Tyne Tees Vehicle Repair Group (TTVRG).
Constellation Automotive’s £201.6 million offer for a 64.4% controlling stake in Marshall Motor Group has been described as a “done deal” after an ‘undertaking to accept’ was published via the London Stock Exchange.
