VERTU MOTORS PLC

M&A Activity • Jul 10, 2013

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RNS Number : 9605I

Vertu Motors PLC

10 July 2013

10 July 2013                                      

Vertu Motors plc ("the Company" or "the Group")

Acquisition of two Volkswagen dealerships

and opening of new SEAT dealership

Vertu Motors plc, the fast growing automotive retailer with a network of 97 sales and aftersales outlets across the UK, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the trade and certain assets of two Volkswagen dealerships in Lincolnshire from Lookers plc.  The assets acquired include a freehold property in Boston and a leasehold property in Lincoln. The consideration, which includes £0.3m for goodwill, is estimated at £3.0 million and will be settled in cash from the Group's existing resources. In the year ended 31 December 2012, the management accounts of the acquired businesses showed a turnover of £20.2m and operating profit before interest and taxation of £320,000.

Highlights of the acquisition:

·      Introduces the Volkswagen franchise to the Group's portfolio, building on its existing representation with SEAT, a brand which is also part of the Volkswagen Group (UK) Ltd. 

·      Further develops the Group's regional concentration in the East Midlands and Lincolnshire

·      Freehold property and operations of an established Volkswagen dealership in Boston, adjacent to the Group's existing Honda dealership

·      Leasehold property and operations of an established Volkswagen dealership in Lincoln, situated adjacent to the Group's existing Honda dealership

In addition to the acquisition, the Group announces the opening of a new SEAT dealership in Birmingham on 15 July 2013.  This standalone dealership located at Star City extends the current sales territory of the Group from the existing Derby SEAT dealership into the West Midlands. This development brings the Group's number of SEAT outlets to five.

Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors said:

"We are delighted to introduce the hugely respected Volkswagen franchise which commands a UK market share of 8.75% into our manufacturer portfolio. These two dealerships will trade as Vertu Volkswagen and are situated in locations which are familiar to us from other Group operations and build on our strong presence in the East Midlands.

"We are also delighted to be opening a new SEAT dealership in Birmingham, the city where Bristol Street Motors was founded 100 years ago this year. These developments deepen our relationship with the Volkswagen Group, which we consider to be a key strategic development in building a balanced portfolio."   

For further information please contact:

Vertu Motors plc
Robert Forrester, CEO	Tel: 0191 491 2111
Michael Sherwin, FD	Tel: 0191 491 2114
Panmure Gordon
Hugh Morgan	Tel: 020 7886 2500
Callum Stewart
Espirito Santo Investment Bank
Richard Crawley Jamie Richards	Tel: 020 7456 9191
FTI Consulting
Billy Clegg	Tel: 020 7831 3113

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors is the sixth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 97 sales and aftersales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Honda, Vertu Volkswagen, Farnell Land Rover and Macklin Motors brand names. Manufacturer partners are Alfa Romeo, Chrysler Jeep, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Land Rover, Mazda, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault/Dacia, SEAT, Suzuki, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Vertu Motors was established in November 2006 and listed on AIM in December 2006, with the strategy to consolidate the UK motor retail sector. It is intended that the Group will continue to acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group. The Group's acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership network. The Group currently operates 95 franchised sales outlets and 2 non-franchised sales operation from 79 locations across the UK.

Vertu Motors group websites - www.vertumotors.com / www.vertucareers.com

Vertu Motors brand websites - www.bristolstreet.co.uk / www.vertuhonda.com / www.macklinmotors.co.uk   /  www.farnelllandrover.com /  www.vertuvolkswagen.com

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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