Expansion of Motor Nation

Vertu Motors PLC
21 January 2008



21st January 2008

                                                                  

                   Vertu Motors plc ('Vertu' or the 'Group')                                                            

                           Expansion of Motor Nation                            

                                    

Vertu Motors plc, the UK's 10th largest motor retail group, is pleased to
announce that it has completed a new lease on premises in Doncaster, Yorkshire
for the opening of a new Motor Nation used car outlet. This will add to the
Group's existing Motor Nation outlets in Birmingham, Coventry and Widnes. This
organic expansion of the Motor Nation business is in-line with the Group's
strategy to expand the existing brands of the Group and particularly to develop
strong used car operations.

The 1.3 acre site, in a prominent location on Thorne Road in Doncaster, is
currently unoccupied. It is intended that the outlet will open for business in
March 2008. The site is a well invested motor retail facility and requires no
material capital expenditure.
 
In order to maximise marketing benefits from the two brands of the Group, Motor
Nation outlets will, in due course, be branded Bristol Street Motor Nation.

 
Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors said:

'I am pleased we have delivered on our strategy to expand our Motor Nation brand
into this new geography for Vertu Motors. The outlet has significant potential
and is the Group's first entry into Yorkshire. It is our intention to continue
to identify additional sites with which to expand Bristol Street Motor Nation.'

 

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For further information please contact:
 
Robert Forrester, CEO, Vertu Motors plc, Tel: [phone]
 
Andrew Kitchingman, Brewin Dolphin Securities, Tel: [phone]
 
Billy Clegg/Edward Westropp, Financial Dynamics, Tel: [phone]



Notes to editors

Vertu Motors is the 10th largest motor retailer in the United Kingdom with 47
dealerships forming a national network across England, operating under the
Bristol Street Motors and Motor Nation brands. Manufacturing partners include
Citroen, Ford, Iveco, Honda, Peugeot, Renault, Vauxhall, Fiat Commercials and
Hyundai.

Vertu Motors was established in November 2006 with the aim of consolidating the
UK motor retail sector. The company listed on AIM in December 2006 and raised
£25m. The Executive Directors are experienced within the sector, having
previously held senior positions within Reg Vardy.

In March 2007, the Group acquired the 13th largest motor retailer in the United
Kingdom, Bristol Street Motors. In the summer of 2007, Vertu acquired Blake
Holdings, Grantham Motor Company Limited and a Ford dealership in Morpeth,
Northumberland.

It is intended that the Company will continue to acquire motor retail operations
in the form of franchised dealerships and used car only operations. The
Company's acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth
strategy to drive operational efficiencies through the national network.

www.vertumotors.com

 



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