Lifestyle Motor Group announced yesterday (Tuesday) it has been acquired by Hendy Automotive in a move which will see the merged companies achieve sales of £600m.
Known for being the parent company of Tunbridge Wells-based Lifestyle Ford, the Lifestyle Motor Group was formed in 2001 and had an annual turnover of £187m last year. As well as Ford, the group – owned and run by Managing Director Peter Isted and Chairman Marc Matthew – operates Mazda, Kia, Renault, Dacia, Seat, Suzuki and Isuzu franchises through the south east.
The acquisition means Hendy Automotive now employs 1,000 staff, including 500 Lifestyle employees whose jobs are safe. They are set to sell more than 40,000 cars, vans and trucks each year across 25 locations.
Mr Matthew said: “We have built up a strong, pro? table and successful business in Kent, Sussex and Surrey and believe this growth will continue with Hendy’s.
“Having won more than 50 industry awards we have been proud of the entire team and the relationships we have had with our franchise partnerships.”
Hendy Automotive Managing Director Paul Hendy said: “We are delighted to have bought Lifestyle, which has a similar philosophy as Hendy. This acquisition extends our territory into the south east and adds a number of new franchises.”
