F&I Management & Training

Heritage Automotive, the Salisbury-based dealer group, has acquired Loders Motor Group from the joint administrators, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal covers certain assets including the Volkswagen car and van franchises in Dorchester, a VW and Skoda site in Yeovil. Also included in the purchase is an authorised body repair centre in Dorchester and the Skoda and Volkswagen Trade Parts Specialist franchises for Yeovil.

Heritage already represents Volkswagen, Audi and Peugeot across Wiltshire, Somerset and Bristol.

Earlier this week Skoda confirmed that Loder’s authorised repairer outlet, which represented the brand in Dorchester, would close.

“I am delighted that we have been able to successfully negotiate the purchase of significant elements of Loders Motor Group,” said John Cook, Heritage’s managing director.

“Loders has had a significant presence in Dorchester and Yeovil for generations. I am delighted that Heritage has been able to secure the futures of most of the Loders staff, whom I warmly welcome into the Heritage family.

“In taking on the Volkswagen Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicle businesses we have secured a significant geography across which we can represent the Volkswagen brand.”

Cook said the group was particularly pleased to be representing Skoda for the first time.

“It is a franchise which we have wanted to be a part of for many years.”

Heritage Automotive was formed in 1996 to represent VW and Audi in Salisbury. Later that year it expanded with the acquisition of Anthony Ince (Weston) which represented VW in Weston Super Mare. In 2003 it added a VW site in Bristol and in 2006 acquired The Oval Motor Company in Westbury giving it a further VW outlet and marking its debut with Peugeot.

The group’s portfolio also includes authorised body repair centres in Dorchester, Salisbury and Westbury, a Volkswagen Group Trade Parts Specialist agency in Yeovil, and a specialist used vehicle centre in Bradford on Avon which trades under the Motor Marque banner.

Earlier this month it sold its Yeovil Audi business to Poole-based Ocean Automotive. The purpose-built eight-car showroom site was also located on the Houndstone Business Park.

DATED: 28.11.11

FEED: MT