Jardine Motors Group has confirmed to AM the proposed sale of seven Volkswagen franchised dealerships and one Skoda site, with Marshall Motor Holdings believed to be poised to acquire the businesses.

A spokesman for Jardine said that the sale of the VW retail sites in Aylesbury, Harlow, Letchworth, Loughton, Milton Keynes and St Albans, the Volkswagen Loughton Van Centre and Milton Keynes Skoda had not been finalised.

However, an AM source said that staff had been informed of the intention of Marshall Motor Holdings to acquire the facilities.

Jardine’s former Wayside Group Towcester Volkswagen dealership, which currently sells Approved Used vehicles – is being retained by Jardine.

AM’s source claimed that the Towcester facility had been loss making in recent years, stating: “It’s clear to see why Marshall has chosen not to acquire Towcester, but the news has left staff uncertain of what the plan might be for the site and, as a result, their jobs.”

Jardine stated that the Towcester business will now fall under the new Jardine Select brand, adding that it will continue to focus on “selling quality used cars and will also have an aftersales facility”.

Jardine’s plan to sell its eight VW facilities follows Marshall’s September acquisition of its Honda outlets in Newbury and Reading back in September.

When asked to comment on Jardine's deceision to sell its seven VW dealerships and one Skoda franchised site, Marshall chief executive, Daksh Gupta said: "We do not comment on speculation related to other retailers' businesses."