Now Motor Retailing has ended its exclusive representation of Vauxhall with an acquisition of two-site Kia dealer Ken Brown Motors.

It comes after an 11 year exclusive partnership with Vauxhall, whose Vauxhall Motor Holdings sponsored dealer operation supported managing director Jon Taylor and finance director David Challis when they started the group in 2006 by buying five sites from Lance Owen.

It now operates 8 Vauxhall dealerships, 6 across North and West London and 2 in Swindon and Marlborough.

Ken Brown Motors is a long established, second generation business which operates the Kia franchise in Stevenage and Harlow. Peter Brown, the majority shareholder of the business will retire post sale. 

Taylor said: “We have been considering expansion outside of our existing brand portfolio for some time and this acquisition fits the criteria we were looking for perfectly. Kia is a brand on the up and with the strong reputation that the Ken Brown business already has we will look to expand on this.

"The businesses both have strong and stable teams which will certainly compliment the wider group.”

UHY Hacker Young’s head of automotive David Kendrick, which advised Ken Brown on the sale, said: “This transaction is a great match for both parties, Peter gets his well-earned retirement and Now are able to further their growth strategy with a new brand partner. With some of the uncertainty around the Vauxhall brand at present, adding Kia to the portfolio is a huge plus point.”

Click here to read AM's dealer profile on Now Motor Retailing from 2016.