Pre-close Trading Statement

Inchcape PLC
28 June 2004

28 June 2004

                      Inchcape pre-close trading statement

Inchcape plc, the international automotive services group, enters a close period
on 1 July 2004 ahead of its interim results announcement, for the six months
ended 30 June 2004, on 2 August 2004.

Trading levels in a number of our markets are slightly more favourable than
anticipated in the statement issued on 13 May 2004 at our Annual General
Meeting.

In the UK we remain confident that profits will rise in the year, continuing the
trend started in 2001, driven primarily by UK Retail.

In Greece and Belgium first half sales volumes are encouraging, and would have
been stronger if it was not for supply constraints.

Australia continues to benefit from a stronger than expected market and the
success of the new Liberty and Outback models, which have helped increase
Subaru's first half market share.

In Hong Kong the market, whilst still recovering, is strengthening at a slightly
faster rate than previously anticipated.

In Singapore the market to date has grown significantly but we expect the second
half to be at a similar level to last year. Profits in local currency are
expected to be ahead of last year.

This year has started much better than expected and our financial performance is
well ahead of 2003. Whilst growth will not continue at this level in the second
half we are confident of a strong performance in 2004.


Notes to editors

Inchcape, as an international automotive services group, provides quality
representation for its manufacturer partners, a choice of channels to market and
products for its retail customers and a range of business services for its
corporate customers. Operations are focused on the UK, Greece, Belgium,
Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Inchcape's activities include exclusive
Import, Distribution and Retail, Business Services, automotive E-commerce and
Financial Services. Operating in a number of our markets, our key manufacturer
partners are Toyota/Lexus, Subaru, Ferrari/Maserati, BMW, the Premier Automotive
Group of Ford, Mazda and Volkswagen.

Inchcape plc has today also announced the acquisition of five Mercedes-Benz
dealerships in the UK. To view the release, and for further information on the
Group, please visit us at www.inchcape.com

For further information, please contact:

Group Communications, Inchcape plc
020 7546 0022

John Olsen/Tom Leatherbarrow, Hogarth Partnership Limited
020 7357 9477


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange