Group 1 Automotive now has more than 20 Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the UK following yet another acquisition from the expanding US-owned dealer group.

It announced last night that it has acquired L&L Automotive's four Mercedes businesses located north of London at Stevenage, Hertford, Hemel Hempsted and Bishop's Stortford.

The takeover of the Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire market area comes just 10 weeks after Group 1 Automotive UK announced it was paying £346 million for Inchcape's entire dealer group operating in the UK - a deal expected to complete by the autumn.

On the L&L Automotive deal, Group 1 chief executive Daryl Kenningham stated: “We are delighted to expand our relationship with Mercedes-Benz while growing our operations in the U.K.

"This brand is outstanding and our ability to add these dealerships to our portfolio is a very positive growth action and presents an opportunity to further drive profitable growth for our shareholders.”