Stoneacre made it three new acquisitions since the start of 2018 with its move for Platts Garage’s multi-franchise site in Stafford.

Continuing a trend which has seen the Thorne-based AM100 retailer add operations boasting more than one manufacturer brand at a single location, its latest move brings and additional Fiat franchise – taking the group total to 17 – along with Renault, Dacia and Kia dealerships.

The addition of the Astonfields Road operation brings the Stoneacre’s dealerships in the Staffordshire area to three, with the group having acquired two Randles sites in Stafford and Stoke back in 2014.

As with its other acquisitions so far in 2018, Stoneacre said Platts Garage’s existing employees would be retained and continue their existing roles.

Already this year, Stoneacre has completed the January acquisition of Nottingham’s Chris Variava dealership complex and a deal to secure Burrows Motor Company's Hyundai and Fiat franchises in Sheffield.

The Chris Variava business includes Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Alfa Romeo and Jeep franchises all at one location.

The acquisition of the Burrows businesses saw the group double its representation with the South Korean brand and take its number of Fiat sites to 16, meanwhile.

Encouraged by such a busy and productive Q1 in dealership acquisition, Stoneacre’s managing director, Shaun Foweather, said: “We set ourselves a challenging but achievable target of a £1 billion turnover by 2020. On top of our previous additions to our dealership network, our productivity in Q1 so far only breeds more confidence that we will meet that business objective with comfort.

He added: “With this new showroom in Stafford, we’re also able to quickly double our Renault and Dacia locations, having recently opened our first just a couple of weeks prior in Chesterfield.

“As always, we welcome the staff joining us from Platts. As with any of our new dealerships, we aim to support our latest members of staff with great training facilities and our ever-developing Stoneacre Academy, along with a seamless integration into the Stoneacre family.”

During 2017 Stoneacre’s growth was driven partially by the acquisition of a Lookers site in Sheffield, which saw the brand expand its prestige used car operations.

The acquisition of Bristol Street Peugeot Chesterfield a month later – in February – came ahead of the acquisition of the business and assets of the Gilder Group.

The Gilder Group acquisition, in June, saw Stoneacre add Honda and Mitsubishi businesses to its portfolio, along with a Honda franchise in Sheffield.