F&I Management & Training

Poole-based Jacksons has bought Mercedes-Benz dealer Tony Purslow to create a £100m a year dealer group.

The deal adds outlets in Basingstoke, Guildford and Hindhead to its existing sites in Dorchester, Poole and Salisbury, creating a total workforce of 300 employees.

Jacksons, bought by South African business man Roy McAllister (pictured) in 2007, was named Mercedes-Benz Retailer of the Year in 2009.

Jacksons managing director Le Roy Muntingh said the company had been looking to expand for some time and the purchase of Tony Purslow presented a perfect and timely opportunity.

“It is not only the size of the Tony Purslow group and its close proximity to our existing retail locations that makes the acquisition an ideal fit,” said Muntingh.

“As a privately-run company, Tony Purslow has operated in a similar vein to us since 1995, with high levels of efficiency and a flat staffing structure that engenders quick decision making at the heart of its success.

“With an unstinting commitment to customer service and the highest quality staff, both groups have become established within the top performing Mercedes-Benz Market Areas and this acquisition creates an organisation of real strength that will boast a turnover in excess of £100m.”

He said both market areas will continue to run separately for the foreseeable future.

DATED: 29.09.11

FEED: MT

Skoda has unveiled its all-new Citigo city car which will go on sale in the UK in summer 2012.

Based on the same platform asVolkswagen’s new Up! model, this will provide Skoda dealers with a new entry point and brings the brand’s portfolio up to six models.

“The Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. It paves the way for tremendous opportunities in a new segment,” said Skoda board chairman Winfried Vahland.

The four-seater car will be launched in three-door and five-door body styles. With a choice of two 1.0-litre petrol engines (60PS 105g/km and 75PS 108g/km).

After launch ultra low emission versions of these engines will be offered boasting fuel consumptions of 67.3mpg (97g/km) and 65.7mpg (99g/km) respectively.

Seat is also expected to launch a version of the Up!

DATED: 29.09.11

FEED: MT

Infiniti has opened its fifth UK showroom in a purpose-built two acre facility in Stockport and confirmed plans to open another centre in Leeds over the coming weeks.

The Infiniti Centre Stockport is located on Bailey Road in Portwood, near the M60, and will serve Greater Manchester and surrounding counties.

The business is operated by Mana Premiere Automobiles (MPA), which also runs Infiniti centres in Birmingham and Glasgow and will run the forthcoming Leeds centre. MPA is looking to have around eight Infiniti Centres in the UK by the end of 2013.

Infiniti has ambitious UK growth plans and is targeting one in 10 luxury car sales by 2016. The brand aims to increase its network to around 40 sites, with one new centre planned to open on average every two months for the next six years.

The brand currently has a four model line-up but plans to expand that to six, including its first mid-engined two seater sports car.

“The Centre is in a fantastic location at the heart of a strong Infiniti demographic audience,” said Richard Braithwaite, Centre Manager. “We have already sold our first car – to an ardent Lexus driver.”

DATED: 29.09.11

FEED: MT