VERTU Motors has added to its portfolio in Yorkshire with the £4 million acquisition of the Kia Bradford and Honda Bradford business from the Vantage Motor Group.
This transaction will bring the number of outlets operated by the Group in Yorkshire to 18.
Honda and Kia in Bradford expands Vertu Motors representation in the city, adding to the already established Renault, Dacia, Nissan and Land Rover outlets and follows the recent purchase of four Volkswagen dealerships, located in Leeds, Huddersfield, Harrogate and Skipton.
The addition of the Honda franchise in Bradford adds to Vertu Honda’s geographical coverage with 12 Honda car dealerships across the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and North East of England and two motorcycle dealers in Nottingham and Grantham.
Bradford Kia becomes Vertu motors second Kia dealership following the acquisition of Edinburgh Kia in January 2020. The Bradford operation will be branded Vertu Kia.
Colleagues at Bradford Honda and Kia will join Vertu Motors, ensuring customers are welcomed by familiar faces with valuable Honda and Kia experience and continuity of service.
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors plc, said: “I am delighted to announce the expansion of the business in Yorkshire and to welcome Kia and Honda colleagues to our Group. It’s great to expand our already successful Vertu Honda business and add our second Kia dealership to Vertu Motors in the last month.
“They fully complement our existing franchises in Bradford and further extend our presence in Yorkshire.”
The news is the latest investment in Bradford by Vertu with work already underway on its £2.4 million refurbishment of its Farnell Land Rover dealership.
The work on the site at the junction of King’s Road and Canal Road will see the dealership undergo a complete renovation and extension to feature a nine-car showroom, designed in line with the Jaguar Land Rover Arch concept.
It will create a number of new full-time jobs in the coming years as Land Rover introduce new models to their range. The facility will also incorporate additional electric charging points for the new electric models from both Jaguar and Land Rover. The new base will also feature an 11 bay workshop, MOT bay, display space for 50 used cars, additional customer parking spaces, barista bar and air-conditioned showroom.
Howard Jessop, head of business, said: “This development will meet the 2020 capacities and corporate vision set out by Jaguar Land Rover. The significant investment demonstrates the company’s confidence in Bradford and its economy and will create a flagship facility for customers of the luxury brand.”
In November, Vertu Motors won an appeal to continue storing hundreds of high end vehicles on land between Valley Road and the rail line leading into Forster Square Rail Station.
A government-appointed inspector granted Vertu’s appeal against a Bradford Council refusal of permission for the facility.
