Acquisition
Inchcape PLC
11 June 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11 June 2007
INCHCAPE PLC
FURTHER EMERGING MARKET EXPANSION
Acquisition of Baltic Motors and BM Auto in Latvia gives Inchcape a leading
share of market.
Inchcape plc ('Inchcape' or the 'Group'), the leading independent, international
automotive distributor and retailer, is pleased to announce that it has signed
an agreement to acquire Baltic Motors Corporation and SIA BM Auto ('Baltic
Motors') from MVC Capital, Inc. for a total cash consideration of up to £60.5m
(including goodwill, property and related assets). Baltic Motors represents
Ford, BMW and Land Rover in Latvia, the Baltics' largest and fastest growing
market. The acquisition is in line with the Group's strategy to expand into the
Emerging Markets and builds on other recent investments in the Baltic States.
Baltic Motors' main business is based in the Latvian capital, Riga, with
additional dealerships in the regional cities of Liepaja and Ventspils. It is
currently Inchcape's third party Land Rover retailer in Latvia, also retails BMW
and is the exclusive distributor and retailer of Ford in Latvia. Following
completion of the transaction, Inchcape will have a market leadership position
in Latvia with distribution and retail of Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar and Mazda and
retail of BMW .
The total automotive market in Latvia is estimated to have grown by 51% in 2006
to over 28,000 units. The acquisition of Baltic Motors, together with
Inchcape's existing Mazda and Jaguar retail business, will make Inchcape market
leader with a market share of over 10%. It also provides a good fit with the
Ford business recently acquired in Lithuania.
Andre Lacroix, Group Chief Executive of Inchcape, commented:
'We are very pleased with this further implementation of our strategy to expand
in the emerging markets. This acquisition strengthens our relationships with
our core brand partners and gives us a market leading position in the exciting,
fast growing market of Latvia.'
For further information, please contact:
Group Communications, Inchcape plc
+44 (0) 20 7546 0022
Investor Relations, Inchcape plc
+44 (0) 20 7546 8432
Financial Dynamics (Jonathon Brill/Billy Clegg)
+44 (0) 20 7831 3113
Notes to editors
Inchcape plc
Inchcape plc is the leading independent, international automotive retailer, with
scale operations in Australia, Belgium, Greece, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK.
The Group also has operations in a number of other markets, including Eastern
Europe, the Baltics, Russia and South America. In addition to growing its core
businesses, Inchcape is looking to develop scale operations in new and emerging
regions. It represents leading automotive brands and operates either a retail,
or a vertically integrated retail model (i.e. exclusive distribution and
retail), depending on the market. Inchcape's current key manufacturer partners
are Toyota/Lexus, Subaru, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, PAG, Volkswagen, Audi and
Honda.
For further information, visit us at www.inchcape.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange