Vertu strengthens South West presence with Rowes acquisition

Vertu Motors has strengthened its presence in the South West with the acquisition of Honda franchisee Rowes Garage.

The business with sites in Plymouth, Plymstock and Truro will be rebranded to trade under the Vertu Motors and Bristol Street Motors brands immediately.

Rowes which has been trading for more than 90 years also operates a Suzuki franchised outlet in Plymouth which will continue to operate as a used car outlet and Suzuki authorised repairer which will be refranchised. 

This latest acquisition follows the integration of Helston Garages in December 2022 and takes the number of dealerships operated by the group in the South West to 34.

This is the first time the group has operated in the Devon city of Plymouth and cements the group’s position as Honda’s largest retail partner in the UK with 17 dealerships.

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors, said: “I am delighted to deliver further expansion for the group in the South West of England following the successful Helston acquisition. The long standing successful Rowes business is a great addition to the group’s 14 existing Honda sales outlets and increases our presence in the South West where we will operate 34 outlets.”