Reg Vardy has this week acquired from the receivers the collapsed Anderson Cars' Renault dealership in Aberdeen for £1.725m.

The No3 AM100 group was also appointed by Nissan to cover the Aberdeen territory from the same site. John R Weir, Scotland's largest Mercedes-Benz dealer group, has added a fourth outlet for the manufacturer by acquiring the Anderson Cars dealership from receivers Kroll Buchler Phillips.

The £55m turnover group purchased the Ruthven Motor Company in Inverness and the business will be moved to a new site in the town by 2003.

Managing director John Weir said: “This opportunity to expand further into the North of Scotland ties in with our commitment to commercial vehicles across the area.

“It enhances further our reputation with Mercedes-Benz and will give us greater influence. We have expansive plans for the Inverness dealership and want to increase sales of new and used cars increase over the next 12 months from 265 units last year.”