Polk, the marketing information services supplier, has completed its acquisition of TUP Group which was founded by Virgin Cars chief executive officer Ian Lancaster.

Phil Smith, formerly Kalamazoo strategic projects director, has been appointed as Polk's senior vice president Europe to head an expansion programme.

Mr Smith said: “We have a tremendous opportunity to raise the level of technology and data available to manufacturers and dealers.”

The addition of TUP would strengthen Polk's position in the UK, France, Benelux, Germany, Spain and Italy, said Mr Smith.

Polk has recently disposed of non-automotive activities in the US and will now focus entirely on transport-related industries.