Hedin Automotive secures further UK expansion with Stephen James Group acquisition

Hedin Automotive has expanded its representation with premium brands after acquiring Stephen James Group for an undisclosed sum.

Hedin Automotive, a subsidiary to Sweden-based Hedin Mobility Group, has bought the business, which has 400 employees and includes five BMW dealerships and three Mini dealerships, all within the Greater London area.

The deal is still subject to regulatory approval, but is expected to be completed before the end of this month.

By adding Stephen James’ operations, Hedin Mobility Group will also further strengthen its position as one of Europe's largest retailers of BMW and Mini.

Following the completed acquisition of Stephen James and the recently announced acquisition of a retailer group in the Netherlands, Hedin Mobility Group will represent BMW and Mini at a total of more than 65 sales points in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, and the UK.

The Stephen James deal follows on from Hedin's purchase of Mercedes-Benz Retail Group earlier this year, which the business said would create a "foothold" to expand further through acquisitions in the UK.

Hedin currently operates over 270 dealerships across 13 countries, representing 44 brands, and it employs 8,000 staff.

Last year it withdrew a takeover bid for Pendragon, which was formerly run by one of Hedin's advisors, Trevor Finn.

Anders Hedin, founder and CEO of Hedin Mobility Group said: "We are enthusiastic for the opportunity to welcome the Stephen James Group into the Hedin family.

"This acquisition marks another significant step in our growth strategy and strengthens our commitment to providing outstanding experiences to customers in the UK.

"We admire the reputation and expertise that Stephen James has cultivated over the years, and we look forward to leveraging their strengths to grow our Group’s BMW business and to continue creating value for customers and employees."

Richard Ennis, group managing director of Stephen James Group, said Hedin's "international presence, industry expertise, and customer-centric approach align closely with our own values".

He added: "This new chapter presents exciting opportunities for our employees and customers alike. With the backing of Hedin Mobility Group’s pan-European operations, we are undoubtably well placed to drive innovation and change while continuing to put the customer and employee experience right at the heart of everything we do."