Group 1 Automotive Expands Internationally
Group 1 Automotive Inc. announced that it has expanded its operation internationally with the acquisition of Chandlers Garage Holdings Ltd., which is comprised of three BMW/Mini dealerships in the United Kingdom.
Group 1 Automotive Inc. announced that it has expanded its operation internationally with the acquisition of Chandlers Garage Holdings Ltd., which is comprised of three BMW/Mini dealerships in the United Kingdom. The six franchises are expected to generate approximately $180 million (91.5 million pounds) in annual revenues. The dealerships are located in southeastern England in the towns of Brighton, Worthing and Hailsham. The dealerships are the longest operating independent BMW franchises in the United Kingdom and will retain the Chandlers name.
"This acquisition gives us the opportunity to expand our holdings into a strong demographic area of a proven market, with a powerful global automotive luxury brand. The Chandlers brand name has a strong image within the local market and the competent, experienced management team will be a great addition to our company," said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's president and chief executive officer. "In just the past few years, the BMW and Mini brands have increased their share of the U.K. automotive luxury segment to nearly 25 percent. Given the pace of consolidation in the U.K. automotive retailing environment, we believe this is an opportune time to diversify our business and open new avenues for growth. Doing this in conjunction with a premier brand such as BMW is a tremendous opportunity for Group 1."
The Chandlers Garage management team will remain intact and report to Ian Twinley, a new addition to the Group 1 organization. Twinley is a 25-year automotive executive whose career includes 20 years working in various sales assignments for Ford Motor Company within their U.K., European and U.S. operations. For the past five years, Twinley has been a successful automotive retailer in the U.K. market. He will report directly to Hesterberg.
In addition, the company reached an agreement with Roger Prowting to lead the acquisition and integration initiatives for Group 1 in the United Kingdom. "Roger has 34 years of automotive experience in the U.K. market and will be a great source for local-market opportunities. He will assist Twinley in the integration of the dealership operations as our holdings grow," said Randy L. Callison, Group 1's Senior Vice President, Operations and Corporate Development.
Year to date, Group 1 has acquired nine franchises with $303.1 million in estimated annual revenues towards its stated goal of $600 million for the year. In addition, the company has disposed of three franchises with annual revenues of $48.2 million in 2007.
More F&I

Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →
Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity
A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.
Read More →
Humble and Hungry: 12 Rules for an F&I Life
Dustin Gingerich, with a decade in the F&I business under his belt, shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with customers, and the importance of learning and innovation.
Read More →
Focus on the Opening
F&I managers must learn as much as possible about their customers, starting before they walk into their offices. The bulk of today’s consumers expect that, and good results will follow.
Read More →
F&I Reaches for the Sky
The increasingly important profit center continued making gains in the first quarter, according to StoneEagle data, ancillary products proving more popular as consumers hold onto their buys longer.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
The 90/10 Rule
In this video, Ryan Ruff explains the rule that elite sales professionals use to turn ordinary conversations into unforgettable customer experiences.
Read More →
Your Office Is Talking
What’s the atmosphere saying about you to your customers? You can make minor adjustments and additions that transform your space into one that creates trust with the people on the other side of the desk.
Read More →
F&I Training Fundamentals
How can auto dealerships help F&I managers fulfill their vital role in the most effective ways? Industry expert Rick McCormick shares his insights on the best ways to train these professionals and help them maintain good habits.
Read More →
Not Just Any Tire Will Do
More consumers and businesses are opting for all-season options for various reasons as safety, sustainability and convenience push practical change.
Read More →