9:49 am, June 6, 2016
SOUTH coast-based Hendy Group has bought the Lifestyle Dealer Group in a deal putting it in the top 20 of the UK’s automotive retailers.
Hendy Group now operates 12 motor franchises at 25 locations in Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Devon with annual turnover set to reach £600m.
It now employs around 1,000 staff and is set to sell in excess of 40,000 cars, vans and trucks each year from its dealerships and two car stores.
Hendy Group managing director Paul Hendy, pictured, said he was delighted to add the successful Lifestyle Dealer Group to its existing business and said the company now had a great platform for growth.
‘We are delighted that the Lifestyle team is joining the Hendy Group as it has a similar philosophy with a strong commitment to customer care and service.
‘This acquisition extends our territory into the south-east and adds a number of new franchises to our existing portfolio of Ford, MG, Iveco, Honda, Mazda and Kia,’ he said.
Lifestyle also has Ford, Mazda and Kia dealerships together with Renault, Dacia, Seat, Isuzu, Subaru and Suzuki outlets.
Marc Matthew, Lifestyle chairman, said the Hendy Group provided an exciting future for the south east-based company, which was formed in 2001.
‘We have built up a strong, profitable and successful business in Kent, Sussex and Surrey and believe this growth will continue with Hendy Group,’ he said.
All new dealerships will continue to operate under the Lifestyle name for the immediate future as the business is integrated into the Hendy Group.
‘It’s very much business as usual at the moment,’ said Hendy. ‘We’re really excited to be adding the new dealerships to our existing business and look forward to the future.’
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