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FERRARI UK BUYS GARAGE FRANCORCHAMPS
Ferrari UK (Maranello Concessionaires Limited) has expanded its business portfolio by purchasing its Belgian counterpart, SA Garage Francorchamps, which represents Ferrari in both Belgium and Luxembourg.
Stuart Robinson, Managing Director of Maranello Concessionaires, said "Our purchase of Garage Francorchamps brings together two of the world's longest established and best respected Ferrari operations. The Belgian importer has been in existence for 46 years, while our company has operated in the UK for 38 years."
"During the '60s and '70s the UK and Belgian Ferrari importers enjoyed friendly rivalry on Europe's racetracks, entering GT cars driven by top drivers of the time in the UK such as Graham Hill, John Surtees and Mike Parkes. Now we are part of the same team there will be many synergies which will benefit the businesses and this development will further strengthen the Ferrari networks in both the UK and Belgium."
"Ferrari UK's long-standing reputation and strong relationship with Ferrari SpA in Italy meant that this acquisition was able to go ahead with their full endorsement."
The Belgian business will continue to trade independently under the name of Garage Francorchamps, which is highly respected by Ferrari enthusiasts around the world.
The company's founder, Mr. Jacques Swaters, will retain his connection with the business, as Honorary President. In recent years he has devoted much of his time to creating a remarkable collection of Ferrari items and documents under the name of FF Galleria, which will remain located at the headquarters of Garage Francorchamps for many years to come.
Mr. Olivier Coune is to remain as Managing Director of Garage Francorchamps, while Mr. Robinson assumes the role of Chairman.
Mr. Swaters commented: "I have spent 46 wonderful years running Garage Francorchamps and, with the help of Ferrari UK, I am totally reassured that Ferrari in Belgium will continue to flourish and that our customers will benefit from the outstanding support from the whole team for many years to come."
Maranello Concessionaires is a subsidiary of Inchcape Motors, the world's largest independent importer and distributor of motor vehicles, which also has significant motor retailing interests. As at the end of 1997, Inchcape Motors represented 34 of the world's car manufacturers, and 16 commercial vehicle/industrial/agricultural manufacturers, in 35 countries.
In the UK, Inchcape Motors represents 26 manufacturers. It imports and distributes for manufacturers such as Toyota, Chrysler Jeep, Daihatsu and Mazda, as well as Ferrari. In addition, through its Retail division, it represents manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Ford, Jaguar/Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Renault, Rover, Saab and Volkswagen. In the UK, Inchcape Motors has 73 franchise outlets, which include a number of well-known dealership names: such as Gerard Mann, H.A. Fox, Wadham Kenning, Mann Egerton and Coopers.
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