1:30 pm, October 28, 2013
MANHEIM has announced it’s completed a deal to invest in wewantanycar.com.
Owners of wewantanycar.com, the Car Group, is based in Cannock, Staffordshire and was set up in 2011 by car supermarket pioneer Chris Bowen. The Car Group Limited, trading as wewantanycar.com, has 60 handover locations across the UK and employs 65 people. The Car Group also purchases vans and tippers.
The Car Group will operate on a standalone basis with the existing management team and brand, led by MD Chris Bowen. Vehicles acquired by The Car Group Limited will be remarketed though Manheim, starting in December 2013.
Bowen said: ‘This investment by Manheim enables us to accelerate our growth and using Manheim as a remarketing partner is an obvious synergy for both businesses. We believe that our enhanced scale will create more competition in this market, which can only be good news for consumers.’
John Bailey, Manheim chief executive, said: ‘We are investing in a great business and management team at wewantanycar.com. By fuelling wewantanycar.com’s growth, there will be a significant influx of quality vehicles into our auction lanes and online channels which is great news for our buyers.
‘Coming on the back of our investment in software specialists Kingfisher and the EVS Online HGV business in 2013, and both Motors.co.uk and Dealer Auction in 2012, this latest acquisition once again underlines our commitment to developing our UK business.’
Manheim’s deal with wewantanycar.com comes on the back of BCA’s acquisition of webuyanycar.com.
When Car Dealer contacted BCA to see how the deal was progressing, a spokesperson said: ‘We don’t have any statements as yet beyond; “BCA has successfully completed the purchase of webuyanycar.com”.’
