Local distributor sold to UK firm

Great Lake Motor Distributors, the New Zealand importer and distributor for LDV and SsangYong, has been sold to UK-based Inchcape with the deal expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

The father-and-son team of Rick and Deon Cooper currently owns Great Lake Motor Distributors, which was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Taupo. It has more than 130 staff in five locations.

Inchcape already distributes Subaru models here via Subaru of New Zealand and has vehicle distribution and retail operations around the world. Its Australasian division employs more than 1,200 staff across Australia and New Zealand.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed in a statement the looming deal to expand its operations this side of the Tasman.

“Inchcape has entered into an agreement for the acquisition of the Great Lake Motor Distributors Group operations in New Zealand,” they say. 

“The agreement is expected to be finalised in H2, 2023. We look forward to sharing more about our expanded operations in due course.”