Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Group 1 Automotive, the US car dealer that owns BMW and Mini dealerships in the UK trading as Chandlers and Barons, has reiterated its intention to expand in the UK.

Group 1 said it was “well positioned” to take advantage of acquisition opportunities and it aimed to “grow scale in existing US markets and the UK”.

Group 1 bought Chandlers BMW and Mini businesses in Brighton, Hailsham and Worthing in 2007 and followed it up with the purchase of two Barons BMW and Mini dealerships in Farnborough and Hindhead in 2010.

Group 1 turned in a record performance in 2011. The fourth largest dealer group in the US saw turnover rise 10.4 per cent to $6.08bn while gross profit rose 9.5 per cent to $960.6m.

The company statement does not split out the trading performance of its UK operation but it said sales from “external customers” in the UK rose 12.7 per cent to $319.5m in 2011.

UK new car retail sales account for 5 per cent of Group 1’s total sales volumes, according to the statement.