Heritage Automotive Buy Blade Motor Group

Heritage Automotive has bought Blade Motor Group and Blade Motorcycles for an undisclosed sum.

Blade represented Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Honda at franchised dealerships based in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol, Wiltshire and Somerset.

Richard Neulaender and John Walsh, the former owners of Colborne Garages, acquired Heritage from John Cook three years ago. Since then the group has changed from a loss-making business into a highly profitable one.

Heritage now represent Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Peugeot and VW commercial vehicles across Wiltshire. In June 2018 Heritage took on Jaguar and Land Rover territory for Cheltenham.

Neulaender said “We are really pleased to be growing our representation with the Volkswagen Group brands whilst at the same time forming new partnerships with Seat and Honda cars”.

He added the former Blade owner Mike Flanagan wanted the Blade business to stay in private ownership.

“The Blade group is a fantastic strategic and geographical fit for Heritage, and we strongly hope a cultural one also.”

Paul Hrachovec managing director said: “We are proud to be an independently owned group. Whilst the industry has been in unusual circumstances over the past couple of years this is an exciting time and we will continue to look for strategic acquisitions.”