Today is the date that the deal between America’s Lithia and Driveway and AM100 dealer group Pendragon is due to complete, leaving Lithia in charge of nearly 200 franchised dealerships in the UK.
The acquisition will see Lithia take ownership of Pendragon’s motor retail businesses, which range from Stratstone and Evans Halshaw franchised dealerships to Evans Halshaw Carstore used car supermarkets. Pendragon PLC will continue under the new guise of Pinewood Technologies, its automotive software arm.
Lithia already has just over 50 franchised outlets in the UK in its Jardine Motors business, which it acquired in 2022. The Pendragon acquisition will add 137 franchised outlets plus almost a dozen Carstore car supermarkets, according to the 2023 AM100 figures.
In terms of combined turnover, Lithia’s UK business is expected to be confirmed in the next AM100 research as the UK’s second largest motor retailer, behind Sytner but leapfrogging Arnold Clark.
Pinewood Technologies will enter a strategic partnership with a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithia Motors, to give a foothold for the Pinewood dealer management system in North America.
Following completion of the transaction, Pendragon confirms its intention to return a cash amount equivalent to approximately 24.5 pence per ordinary share to shareholders by way of a special dividend which is now expected to be paid in Q1/Q2 2024.
The PLC’s chief executive Bill Berman and the board of Pinewood Technologies will be joined by two Lithia executives: Chris Holzshu, chief operating officer, and George Hines, chief technology officer, in non-executive director roles.
Mark Willis will step down as director and chief financial officer of the Pinewood Technologies and his successor will be Oliver Mann.
Lithia became embroiled in a bidding war for Pendragon last autumn, as its initial offer attracted counter-offers from overseas rivals Hedin and Penske, and ultimately Lithia increased its acquisition offer for Pendragon by 42%, another £117 million, taking the amount being offered for all its Stratstone, Evans Halshaw, Carstore and PVM motor businesses up to £397 million.
As editor, Tim is responsible for the media content, planning and production of AM’s multiple channels (AM print and digital magazines, website, social media and contributing to our events planning). He interviews and writes about as many franchised dealer groups and UK divisions of motor manufacturers as possible, to explore the issues facing UK motor retail and understand what solutions dealers and suppliers are using to overcome these.
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