News in detail
January 2007
TWO DEALERSHIPS TO SIX IN 12 MONTHS - WEST LONDON NISSAN ACQUIRES DAN PERKINS
Dan Perkins has been connected with Nissan in the UK since the late 1970s.
Hanif Automotive, which owns and operates WLMG (WLN), has acquired the three businesses formally operated by Dan Perkins (GB) Ltd in Eastcote/Ruislip, Slough and High Wycombe for an undisclosed sum.
Established ten years ago when it opened a dealership in Hanwell as part of Nissan’s then dealer-sponsored programme, WLN has gone on to build an enviable reputation within the industry. The business has enjoyed considerable growth in recent years, beginning with the purchase of the former Shepperton Autoway in Surrey in 2004. Then, in March 2006, WLN took ownership of the impressive Nissan dealership beside the M1 in Mill Hill, North London, from Lookers PLC. At that time, the Mill Hill business had been losing money for several years but under WLN control has since recorded a significant return to profit.
Hanif Automotive has purchased the assets of Dan Perkins (GB) Ltd and the exclusive rights to use the brand name. The acquisition of the Dan Perkins sites sees WLN increase its portfolio to six dealerships and affords the company the opportunity to extend its Nissan ‘area of responsibility’ into a neighbouring territory.
Whilst the three dealerships will continue to operate under the Dan Perkins brand, they will quickly incorporate WLMG working practices and procedures and will take advantage of the group’s centralised sales support and admin resources. Dan Perkins’ senior management team has resigned as part of the terms of the acquisition; however, there are to be no staff redundancies and significant investments will be made in staff training and development in the short to medium term.
Dan Perkins is a long-established name, connected with Nissan in the UK since the late 1970s. Indeed, in the 1980s, ‘Dan Dan the Nissan Man’ became one of the biggest Nissan dealer groups in Europe and, as the business has evolved over the years, Dan Perkins has retained its standing as a quality Nissan retailer.
The acquisition has the full backing of Nissan and will see Hanif Automotive almost double in size, increasing its turnover to some £65m and staff quota to circa 170. Ian Bentley, Franchising Manager for Nissan, commented: “At Nissan, we’ve always had high regard for Naeem and his excellent team of staff. It was inevitable that the business would grow, increasing its profile and cementing its reputation as a major partner for Nissan. We’re extremely pleased that such a strong and successful dealer has taken over what is a very important territory for us.”
Naeem Hanif, Managing Director of Hanif Automotive, said: “This expansion represents a significant milestone for WLN, and the additional sites will complement our existing businesses perfectly. WLN has a reputation for providing excellent customer service and we are confident that Dan Perkins customers, old and new, will receive the standards of service they expect from a quality motor outlet.
“This acquisition further reinforces our commitment to the Nissan brand and the direction in which it is heading, and we are delighted with the support that we have received from the manufacturer. Without a doubt, this opportunity not only brings about the economies of scale associated with expansion of this nature, but its timing coincides with the launch of yet another new Nissan model. The new Qashqai is arguably one of the most important and keenly anticipated Nissan models for many years and will serve to underpin our volume and profit aspirations going forward.”
