Vertu sells leasing business to UK Carline

Vertu Lease Cars, part of AM100 motor retailer Vertu Motors, has been sold to UK Carline for an undisclosed sum.

It will continue to broker the lease of car brands represented by Vertu Motors, but Carline says customers will benefit from an expanded range of leasing solutions and a wider selection of offers to choose from.

The existing team at Vertu Lease Cars will join Preston-based UK Carline, which will continue to use the Vertu name under licence.

UK Carline’s managing director Darren Godbert said: "This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for us to strengthen our position in the market and provide our customers with an even wider range of high-quality leasing solutions.

“We are also thrilled to be able to welcome the talented team from Vertu Lease Cars, who will be joining us and helping to drive our business forward."

David Crane, chief operations officer of Vertu Motors, said “We have worked with Darren and the UK Carline Team since Vertu began trading in 2007.

“We have enjoyed a superb working relationship, that has endured the financial crisis and the challenges of the Covid pandemic.

“We are delighted that this has been further strengthened by the sale of the Vertu Lease Cars business and we are looking forward to the growth that we are sure the UK Carline team will deliver for us and our joint funding partners.”

He added: “Licensing our brand name is not something we do lightly, but I have complete faith that Darren and the team will uphold our core brand values of honesty and trust.”