The future of Chris Swan's Bulldog Express network has been thrown into doubt after the business disposed of key outlets and closed several others.

The Finelist founder, who set up the Bulldog parts distribution business in February, was not available for comment as Automotive Management went to press. One industry commentator claimed he had “gone to ground”.

Details about the business sell-off are sketchy, but much of the 16-outlet group, including the 10 Autela Edmunds Walker branches acquired in May, appears to have been broken up.

Four AEW outlets were sold and two closed last month as Mr Swan looked to “get the business in shape”.

In the past two weeks, Mill Auto Supplies, the St Austell-based business run by Independent Motor Trade Factors Association chairman Alan Johnson, acquired Bulldog's head office based in Camborne, Redruth.

Jayar Components in Maidstone, has taken over the Brighton premises, now trading as Ajay Autoparts; the Derby-based Component Distribution Network has acquired the Llandudno, north Wales, site; and TMS Motor Spares in Newark, Notts, has taken control of the Penrith, Cumbria, outlet.