7:55 am, August 11, 2014
FAMILY-owned dealer group Marshall has acquired parent company of Astle BMW and Mini, Astle Motorrad and Crystal Motor Group.
The acquisition marks Marshall Motor Group’s entry into the BMW and Mini network and includes the Astle BMW businesses in Scunthorpe and Grimsby, together with Mini in Grimsby and BMW motorcycles in Grimsby.
Commenting on the acquisition, Marshall chief executive, Daksh Gupta said: ‘This is an historically important acquisition for Marshall which fits perfectly with our stated strategy to grow with the right brand partners in the right locations.
‘We are incredibly proud to be partnering with BMW and Mini for the first time and look forward to building a strong relationship with what is undoubtedly one of the most desirable prestige brands in the market.’
Tim Abbott, outgoing managing director of BMW Group UK, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the Marshall Motor Group as our newest UK retail partner and we look forward to building a mutually successful partnership in North Lincolnshire.’
The acquisition now means Marshall joins an exclusive club, along with five other groups, representing all of the major German and British premium car brands.
Marshall builds on Nissan relationship
As part of this acquisition Marshall has also gained the Crystal Motor Group Nissan businesses in Boston, Grantham and Lincoln, which builds greater depth on the Marshall representation with Nissan.
Gupta (pictured right) added: ‘In line with our strategy to build depth of representation with our key brand partners, we have been working with the team at Nissan for some time to find the right opportunity to grow our representation with Nissan which is, undoubtedly, are one of the most exciting volume brands when you look at their market share growth in recent years.’
Nissan Motor GB boss Jim Wright said: ‘Nissan welcomes Marshall Motor Group’s agreed acquisition of Crystal Motor Group. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Marshall Motor Group and welcome their on – going commitment to the Nissan brand.’
These new businesses, together with the acquisitions announced in July, Halesworth Land Rover and Bishop’s Stortford Volvo, will take the annualised turnover of Marshall to £1.2bn and lifts the group’s portfolio to 75 franchised dealerships. All 160 staff at Astle BMW and Mini, Astle Motorad and Crystal Motor Group have transferred to Marshall, bringing the total number of colleagues at Marshall to around 2,300.
Gupta concluded: ‘With our strategic entry to the BMW and Mini networks, we now have a truly balanced portfolio with important partnerships across the volume, alternate premium and premium sectors.
‘Our priority going forward will be to continue to build with our existing key partners and to grow our specialist representation just as we have recently done with the announcement of our new Maserati business.’
Marshall sells Mazda, Renault and Dacia business to Brayleys
