Disposal

European Motor Hldgs PLC 17 January 2006 EUROPEAN MOTOR HOLDINGS plc ("EMH") DISPOSAL At the time of the acquisition of Smith Knight Fay (Holdings) Limited ("SKF") on 1 July 2005, we announced that EMH was the subject of a review by Toyota and Lexus to assess the enlarged group's candidacy for those franchises and that approval had been given for SKF to continue to operate the franchises in the intervening period. The assessment procedures were successful and EMH was approved as a partner for both franchises and looks forward to having the opportunity to work with them in the future. However, following discussions with the manufacturers, it has been agreed to dispose of the existing Toyota and Lexus franchises in line with those manufacturers' market area arrangements. SKF's Mazda business shares a property with the Lexus business and EMH has therefore decided to dispose of the Mazda business at the same time. Accordingly, on 16 January 2006 the group disposed of the business and certain assets of SKF's three Toyota businesses, one Lexus business and one Mazda business to RRG Group Limited ("RRG"). The businesses disposed of operate in the South Manchester area (Stockport, Denton and Macclesfield). RRG already operates other Toyota and Lexus franchises in the North Manchester area. The total consideration for this transaction was £13.2 million, which has been settled in cash, and the gross assets disposed of amounted to £12.5 million. The assets disposed of include three freehold properties from which the Toyota businesses operate. The Lexus and Mazda businesses operate from a site which forms part of a larger freehold property which is also used by other SKF businesses. SKF has therefore leased the Lexus/Mazda site to RRG for a minimum of seven years and a maximum of twenty years at an initial annual rent of £330,000. SKF accounts for borrowings and interest centrally and historically only produced accounts for individual businesses to operating profit level. In the year ended 31 May 2004 (the latest period for which audited accounts are available) the businesses disposed of made a contribution to SKF's operating profits of £1.4 million. Management accounts for the thirteen months ended 30 June 2005 indicate that the businesses made a contribution to SKF operating profits in that period of £1.3 million. Interest on the disposal consideration and the rental income from the Lexus/Mazda site are estimated to amount to approximately £1.1 million in a full year. The proceeds of the disposal will be used to reduce the group's borrowings which were increased significantly on the acquisition of SKF. The disposal will allow EMH to continue to concentrate on its chosen manufacturer partners of BMW group, Premier Automotive Group and Volkswagen group, with the potential of being awarded Toyota and/or Lexus franchises in the future. EMH will be making a trading update announcement in February, but the Board does not expect the disposal to have an impact on the group's forecast pre exceptional results for either the year ending 28 February 2006 or the subsequent financial year. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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