Desira, the East Anglian retail group, has acquired self-drive hire company Abacus in a move that broadens its automotive interests. The firm has moved into Desira’s Wroxham Road site.

The purchase, for an undiclosed amount, is in line with Desira’s strategy of providing a “complete motoring solution” for customers. Abacus hire vehicles range from small cars to trucks, minibuses and tippers.

“The acquisition is a positive move for the group and enables Desira to provide a complete retail and business motoring solution,” says managing director John Desira. “This creates a new and exciting market which we will roll out to our other sites.”

Desira is embarking on a two-tier expansion campaign, opening multi-franchised sites in rural areas and solus sites in large towns, as it looks to double turnover from £75m to £150m. Earlier this year it added Citroen in Great Yarmouth to its Alfa, Fiat and Nissan franchises.