Park’s Motor Group completes Borders Motor Group acquisition

Park’s Motor Group has joined the Lexus franchise and added to its representation of Hyundai, Skoda and Toyota through the acquisition of Borders Motor Group.

The AM100’s 16th-placed car retail group by turnover has added Toyota car dealerships in St Boswells, Carlisle and Dumfries, along with Hyundai in Carlisle and Dumfries, Lexus in Carlisle and Skoda Dumfries with the move, which was officially completed on March 1.

Park’s has purchased Border from the existing shareholders, led by founder and majority shareholder Archie Maclean.

Maclean said: “It was an extremely difficult decision to divest from the retail motor industry and I do so with a heavy heart.

“However, I was keen to focus my energies on my other businesses and once I had made the decision to sell it was important for me to find a buyer that shared my values and ethos.

“I believe I have found that in Park’s Motor Group and their leadership team have been fantastic to deal with throughout.

“I was extremely satisfied by their plans for the business, how they believe they can help it grow whilst at the same time looking after our customers and colleagues who have been vital in the growth of the business.

“I would like to put on record my thanks to all of our colleagues as well as our brand partners for their support over the last number of years.”

Park's acquisition of Border Motor Group is its largest since its 2016 addition of 12 dealerships through the purchase of Scottish car retail group Macrae and Dick.

Park’s Motor Group chairman, Douglas Park, said: “We have worked extremely hard over the last few months alongside Archie and his advisers to complete this deal.

“We believe Border to be an excellent opportunity for us to grow our business and we recognise that Archie and his team have created fantastic foundations on which we can build our business in Carlisle, Dumfries and St Boswells.

“It was a particularly attractive opportunity for us as it allowed us to increase our representation with a number of brands with whom we have had ambition to grow and also the fantastic addition of Lexus to our portfolio.

“We would like to express our thanks not only to Archie but to the management teams of Hyundai, Lexus, Skoda and Toyota for making the process go so smoothly.

“We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the growing Park’s Motor Group and continuing the success of these new locations.”

Park’s Motor Group last published accounts, for the period to March 31, 2021, showed a £691.2 million turnover in a COVID-hit 2020 trading period, down on 2020’s £784.9m.

Border Motor Group delivered a turnover of £53.5m (2019: £66.4m), alongside a pre-tax profit of £1.4m (2019: £64,308).