Disposal of Interest, etc.

INCHCAPE PLC
16 August 1999


Inchcape sells Asia Pacific Office Automation business
to Ricoh for US$50 million (c. £30 million)

Inchcape plc today announced that it has sold its 50% interest in
the Inchcape NRG group's Asia Pacific office automation business to
Ricoh Hong Kong, Ltd - a subsidiary of Ricoh Co., Ltd of Japan,
Inchcape's current partner in the business - for US$50 million (c.
£30 million).  Of the consideration, US$4 million has been satisfied
by payment of a dividend to Inchcape by Inchcape NRG.  The
transaction proceeds will be used to fund the Inchcape Group's
ongoing operations.

Inchcape NRG is a leading distributor of office automation equipment
in Asia Pacific, with direct operations in ten markets in Asia and
Australasia.  For the year ended 31 December 1998, Inchcape's share
of the operating profit of Inchcape NRG was £5.8 million, and its
share of net assets was £24 million.

The disposal is effectively the final step in Inchcape's strategy,
announced in March 1998, to focus entirely on its international
Motors operations.

Issued by and           Inchcape plc
enquiries to            Stephen Clark                0171-546 8250
                        Group Communications Director

                        Bridget Gander              0171-546 8394
                        Head of Investor Relations

Summary of Inchcape's divestment programme:

2 March 1998            Inchcape announces its strategy to focus
                        entirely on its international Motors
                        operations and to divest its
                        other businesses.

5 October 1998          Sale announced of the Russian Bottling
                        business for £51million.

8 January 1999          Sale announced of the Asia Pacific Marketing
                        business for £93 million.

1 February 1999         Sale announced of the South American
                        Bottling business for £457 million.

8 February 1999         Sale announced of Inchcape Shipping Services
                        for up to £47.5 million.

1 April 1999            Sale announced of the Middle East Marketing
                        business for £72 million.

14 May 1999             Extraordinary General Meeting at which
                        shareholders approved the disposal of South
                        American Bottling.

9 July 1999             Payment of special dividend of 100p per
                        'old' share.

12 July 1999            Share consolidation with one new share being
                        issued for every six 'old' shares.

5 August 1999           Sale announced of the Group's 50% interest
                        in the Inchcape NRG group's Asia Pacific
                        office automation business for US$50 million
                        (c. £30 million).