Cwmbran-based JD Cleverly, ranked 55 in the AM100 with a £170m turnover, has expanded outside Wales, adding three dealerships in Bristol and Bath to its Mon Motors subsidiary.

Mon Motors, which already had the Cardiff Audi franchise, acquired the business and leasehold of Bristol Audi from Jardine Motor Group in late June. The Bath Volkswagen and Audi franchises, previously run by independent company Motor Services Bath, were bought shortly afterwards.

AM100 top 10-ranked Jardine acquired four Audi dealerships in the Midlands earlier this year.

Industry consultants believed this may have upset Audi UK’s management, which prefers strong regional groups as opposed to shareholder-conscious plcs. However, Audi UK was powerless to act because Jardine Motor Group already held the Audi franchise.