Hartwell Automotive Group has ambitions to join the AM100 billionaires' club after buying seven Ford dealerships from Arriva. The sites in Chippenham, Halifax, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Swindon and two in Nottingham represent three territories.

Mark Lavery, Hartwell group operations director, says the move is part of an expansion strategy which will boost turnover from £800m to £1bn by the end of the year. “We expect to expand further with Ford Motor Company and Vauxhall Motors,” he adds.

Hartwell intends to refurbish and rebrand the former Arriva outlets, with the four sites across the Swindon territory relocated to purpose-built facilities.

Alan Mikkleson, Hartwell Ford divisional director, will oversee the sites, which turnover £200m and employ 500 staff. Peter Larson, Arriva Ford franchise director, has resigned.

Last year, Arriva decided to exit motor retailing and ditch all 35 of its dealerships. The latest deal takes its income from disposals to £18.5m.