Vertu Motors

21/1/20

Vertu Motors plc, the automotive retailer across the UK, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the trade and assets of three franchises on a multi-franchise dealership in Edinburgh, Scotland from the administrators of Leven Cars Group Limited.

Vertu expects the acquisition to contribute a small loss in the first full year of ownership, the year ending 28 February 2021, and to be earnings enhancing thereafter.

The purchase of this Kia, Suzuki and Mitsubishi leasehold dealership in Edinburgh represents further expansion of the Group’s Macklin Motors brand in Scotland and complements the Group’s existing 9 outlets in Scotland comprising the Nissan, Ford, Mazda, Peugeot and Hyundai brands. The acquisition brings Kia, Suzuki and Mitsubishi as new franchises to the Group operations and these franchises are expected to provide further growth opportunities going forward. Marketing and operational synergies are anticipated to arise as a result of adding additional scale to the business in Scotland.

The combined management accounts of the outlets acquired indicate that they achieved pre-acquisition revenues of approximately £27m and incurred a significant trading loss. Manufacturer support has been obtained for the transaction and a short term lease entered into on the current premises. It is planned to build a new multi-franchise dealership on land already purchased by the Group in Edinburgh within the next two years.

Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors, said: “We are delighted to announce further expansion of the business in Edinburgh following from the acquisition announced last week in Yorkshire. This acquisition out of administration represents value, and brings the Kia, Suzuki and Mitsubishi franchises with growth prospects to the Group. The addition of these outlets augments the Group’s representation in Scotland under the Macklin Motors brand and expands our operational footprint in Scotland. In the process, we have also secured over 50 jobs which were under threat.

The deal goes to the heart of the Group’s strategy to continue to grow a significantly scaled franchised dealership Group and to allocate capital in order to generate increased cashflows and returns for shareholders in the medium term.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Vertu Motors plc (which trades under the Bristol Street Motors, Macklin Motors, Vertu Toyota, Vertu Honda, Vertu Volkswagen, Vertu Mercedes-Benz, Farnell Jaguar Land Rover brands) was formed in late 2006 to acquire and consolidate UK motor retail businesses. The group was founded as a new entrant into the UK motor retail sector and is listed on the AIM market (UK:VTU).

In 2017, the Group became the first major UK motor retailer to offer customers the ability to purchase a used vehicle entirely online with the launch of Bristol Street Motors Buy Online, this was followed by Macklin Motors Buy Online. The platform enables customers to buy a used vehicle in as little as five minutes if they have the funds in place, arrange financial packages if they don’t, and have the vehicle delivered to any UK mainland home address.

Since flotation in December 2006, the Group has established itself as a major player in the United Kingdom automotive retail sector. The Group currently operates 127 franchised sales outlets and 3 non-franchised sales operations, representing 25 manufacturers, from 109 locations across the UK.

www.bristolstreet.co.uk/buy-online/

https://www.macklinmotors.co.uk/buy-online/

Find us on Twitter:

Vertu Motors / @vertumotors

Bristol Street Motors / @BristolStMotors

Macklin Motors / @MacklinMotors

Vertu Honda / @Vertuhonda

Vertu Toyota / @VertuToyota

Vertu Volkswagen / @VertuVolkswagen

Vertu Specialist Cars / @VertuSpecialist

Vertu Mercedes-Benz / @Vertu_MB

Farnell Jaguar / @FarnellJaguar

Farnell Land Rover / @FarnellLRover

Hereford Audi / @HerefordAudi

Find us on Facebook:

Bristol Street Motors / @bristolstreetmotors

Macklin Motors / @macklinmotors

Vertu Honda / @VertuHondaLtd

Vertu Toyota / @vertutoyota

Vertu Volkswagen / @VertuVolkswagen

Vertu Specialist Cars / @VertuSpecialistCars

Vertu Mercedes-Benz / @VertuMercedesBenz

Farnell Jaguar / @FarnellJaguar

Farnell Land Rover / @FarnellLandRover

Hereford Audi / @HerefordAudi