Brayleys Cars to expand its footprint significantly with acquisition of Johnsons Cars Ltd
The acquisition will bring together Johnsons Cars Ltd and Brayleys Cars Ltd, creating a major force in the UK automotive retail sector. Combined, the group will operate 79 franchise sales points across the country, representing 21 leading automotive brands, supported by a workforce of close to 2,000 colleagues. In addition to the dealership network, the acquisition includes Johnsons’ TPS Centres, Johnsons Fleet Services, and group support functions.
Founded in 1999 following the acquisition of Johnson Brothers, Johnsons Cars Ltd has established itself as a highly respected name in the UK motor trade. The business has grown to represent 16 brands, with particular strength in the Volkswagen Group portfolio covering Volkswagen, SEAT, CUPRA and Škoda. The acquisition will also enhance the representation of Mazda, Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda, further securing the businesses position as Honda’s largest European dealer group by volume.
This move aligns the businesses long-term ambition to position its UK operations among the country’s top ten dealer groups.
Investing initially in Brayleys Cars Ltd in 2018, the automotive retail portfolio further expanded with the acquisition of nine West Way sites from Nissan GB Ltd in 2022, the business now operates 30 franchise sale points.
The transaction is a share purchase, meaning the entirety of Johnsons Cars Ltd will be acquired, including all operational entities, staff and naming rights. While the business will evolve over time, the intention is to ensure continuity and stability for colleagues across the business. The acquisition is seen as a vote of confidence in the future of the UK motor retail industry and the people who drive its success.
José Blanco, Chief Executive Officer of Brayleys, said: “This is an exciting new era for the company. Johnsons Cars is a highly regarded and well-run business that perfectly complements our existing brand portfolio and geographic footprint. The shared values between our teams and our combined strength in key manufacturer partnerships make this a natural fit for the next step in our growth trajectory.”
Mike Berwick, Chief Executive Office of Johnsons Cars Ltd said: ‘“After 26 years of Johnsons Cars, it was incredibly important to find the right business to carry it forward. Following careful consideration by the board, we’re confident that the new owners share our values and have the vision and means to create continued success for our staff, brand partners, and customers. I want to sincerely thank our dedicated team, loyal brand partners, and valued customers all of which have been instrumental in shaping Johnsons Cars into the business it has become.”