Dubai-based franchised automobile retailer AW Rostamani Group has broadened its UK footprint with the acquisition of 9 West Approach automobile retail websites from Nissan Motors GB.
The acquisition by the Brayleys Cars shareholder follows the Japanese OEM’s determination to divest of its 13-site AM100 automobile retail operation in July this 12 months, with different websites going to Glyn Hopkin and Hendy Group.
AW Rostamani Group has now acquired its midlands and northern websites, together with Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Rochdale, Stockport, Altrincham, Coventry, Stourbridge, Oldham and Manchester, plus Head Workplace and group assist capabilities.
Nissan stated the transaction was accomplished on the finish of October, with present workers being transferred to the brand new traders.
Nissan Motor GB managing director Andrew Humberstone, who was interviewed for an AM manufacturer profile feature earlier this 12 months, stated: “AW Rostamani Group is a excessive performing international associate that has labored extensively with Nissan in different markets, so we’re delighted to be welcoming them right here to the UK and supporting their continued development plans.
“It’s a good time to be becoming a member of Nissan too, because of an enormous number of new mannequin launches, together with the brand new X-Path and award-winning Ariya and Qashqai, plus hybrid and electrical powertrains, distinctive applied sciences like e-POWER, and throughout each passenger automobile and LCV sectors.
“We stay up for a powerful and affluent partnership with AWR within the years forward.”
Nissan motors GB have been suggested by the main automotive advisory consultants at UHY Hacker Younger which included David Kendrick, Paul Daly and Ian McMahon.
Final month AM reported on MHA stories that overseas investors were eyeing the UK car retail sector for acquisitions following a weakening of the pound.
Nissan immediately described the AW Rostamani Group as a family-owned, international firm with divisions spanning automotive, logistics, actual property, journey, way of life, lighting and funding.
Established in 1968, its automotive enterprise, Arabian Vehicles, has been unique distributors for Nissan and its alliance companions Infiniti and Renault in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Group chairman Khalid Al Rostamani stated: “We’re very excited in regards to the partnership between AWR Group and West Approach Nissan, which comes as a part of our on-going technique to broaden our portfolio within the UK.
“Being a associate of Nissan for a few years with a powerful, long-standing relationship, we’re very happy to be working collectively to convey our shared experience and core values to the UK market.”
West Approach managing director Jon Roberts stated: “We’re delighted to have the ability to share the information of the acquisition of West Approach by such a distinguished international associate as AW Rostamani Group.
“Not solely is that this partnership an ideal cultural match with each companies sharing many core values however it additionally permits the West Approach group to construct on its success in more moderen years by forming a major a part of AW Rostamani Group’s UK presence.”
Nissan’s sale of its remaining West Approach websites to a single international investor comes after it angered some long-standing franchisees with the implementation of its new ‘Splendid Community Plan’.
Underneath the plan Nissan will lower its UK illustration from 166 to 140 gross sales websites and roughly 180 service centres.
One franchisee accused the OEM of making an attempt to hold out a “cloak and dagger” restructure, nevertheless, after changing into one in every of quite a lot of companies handed discover to depart the community.
