Group 1 Automotive Inc.
GPI,
-2.63%
said Tuesday it has acquired nine franchises in the U.K. northeast of London from the Robinsons Motor Group and expects to add $300 million to annual revenue. The operator of dealerships selling new and used cars said the franchises are the family of brands offered by the Volkswagen Group
VOW,
-1.29%,
along with one Citroen dealership, with locations in the cities of Norwich, Peterborough, Lowestoft and Ipswich. Robinsons already sold Group 1 five Mercedes dealerships in 2018. Group 1 now hast 55 locations in the U.K. with 75 franchises representing 14 brands. Shares were not active premarket, but have gained about 26% in the year to date, while the S&P 500
SPX,
-0.37%
as gained about 16%.