Group 1 back on acquisition trail with Robinsons purchase
07 July 2021
US retail giant Group 1 Automotive has bought East Anglia-based Robinsons Motor Group for an undisclosed sum. Auto Retail Agenda understands the deal was completed on 5 July.
Robinsons operates 10 new vehicle franchises nine of which are within the Volkswagen Group and the 10th a Citroen dealership. In the privately run group’s latest accounts, covering 2019, Robinsons had a turnover of £235 million and a profit before tax of £2.1m. Robinsons was established in 1927 and represents the Audi, Seat, Citroen, Skoda, Volkswagen and VW Commercial Vehicles brands at showrooms across East Anglia, plus four Auto Devotion used car dealerships. 
The 10 additional franchises take Group 1 to a total of 64 new car operations in the UK and a total of 55 locations with 75 franchises, including LCV franchises, representing 14 total brands.
Robinsons Motor Group previously sold five Mercedes dealerships to Group 1 in 2018.
Group 1’s president and chief executive officer Earl Hesterberg stated: “We are pleased to further expand our strong relationship with the Volkswagen Group in the UK. Our previous experience in these market areas has been very positive and we are confident that these businesses will contribute further growth to our UK operation.”
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