News
Leading South East law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore have assisted the Motorline Group as it closes off the year with another acquisition – the purchase of Lexus Bristol.
The deal brings the number of Lexus centres operated by Motorline to four with a total number of dealerships to 49 plus four Volkswagen TPS Centres across the South East, South West and the Midlands.
Chairman, Glen Obee said “We are delighted to add another Lexus dealership to the Motorline Group, this acquisition fits geographically well with our South West operations and further strengthens our representation with the Lexus brand”.
Motorline now operate Lexus centres in Bristol, Cardiff, Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells, and is soon to open a fifth centre in Gatwick in early 2018.
Motorline have just invested £300k in the refurbishment of their Lexus Canterbury Centre in Broad Oak Road, which is set to reopen in December. Motorline was appointed Lexus franchise for Canterbury in 1990 when they shared the site with Toyota. In 2002 Lexus saw their newly built independent site in Broad Oak Road, this year’s refurbishment is the largest it has undergone since being an independent showroom.
The Corporate team at TS&P, led by Partner and Head of Corporate, Joanne Gallagher, advised the Motorline Group on the acquisition. Joanne was assisted by Corporate Associate, Faye Cook. Commercial Property Partner, Joanne Wright, and Solicitor, Nicole Priestley, advised on the property elements of the transaction.
Joanne Gallagher said: “We are delighted to have advised in connection with another successful acquisition. The deal further strengthens Motorline’s share in the Lexus market, as well as the Group’s overall presence in the South West. We look forward to continuing to assist Motorline in its future expansion and growth plans.”
In 2017, Motorline have taken on a total of five dealerships; brands include Nissan, Lexus and Hyundai, which are in addition to relocating Skoda and Nissan in Dartford, and Peugeot and Nissan in Medway to new sites. In 2018 Motorline are set to open three new dealerships in Gatwick, which are currently in build for Peugeot, Hyundai and Lexus.
