Sime Darby to sell Citroen, Peugeot, DS

Sime Darby Motors is selling its Australian and New Zealand automotive distribution business, which import and distribute Peugeot, Citroën and DS branded vehicles throughout both countries. The New Zealand assets have been purchased by the Armstrong Motor Group, with the deal to take effect on June 1. Armstrong dealerships in Auckland, Christchurch and Lower Hutt currently sell various Peugeot, Citroën and DS vehicles. Inchape Australia, a Subaru distributor, has acquired assets across the ditch. “After careful consideration, a decision was reached to divest the Australasian distribution businesses. This is in line with Sime Darby Motors’ strategy to focus on the expansion of its retail car and commercial truck footprints on both sides of the Tasman,” said managing director of Sime Darby Motors, Patrick McKenna. “Throughout the sale process it has been our priority to ensure that the vast majority of our employees in both countries would be offered employment under their existing terms and conditions. I would like to acknowledge this terrific group of people and wish them well in the future.” The French brands have a relatively minor presence in the New Zealand auto industry; 751 Peugeot vehicles and 245 Citroën vehicles were sold in the country last year, and year-to-date sales are 207 and 64 vehicles respectively. Sime Darby first took over distribution of Peugeot, Citroën and DS-branded vehicles from the Ateco Group in 2013. Sime Darby Motors is the automotive division of Malaysia-based conglomerate Sime Darby Berhad, and operates across ten countries worldwide.