Kesko to acquire Volkswagen and SEAT businesses from Huittisten Laatuauto

Kesko Group company K Caara Oy has agreed to acquire Huittisten Laatuauto Oy’s Volkswagen and SEAT business operations in Forssa and Huittinen. The transaction includes new and used car sales, servicing and after-sales services.

Kesko’s car trade targets growing its business in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group. K-Auto’s retail company K-Caara is the biggest dealer of brands represented by the Volkswagen Group in Finland, and it strives to strengthen its market position in the retailing of Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT by expanding its business area.  

”This acquisition supports our strategy and further strengthens our position as a dealer for brands represented by the Volkswagen Group. The transactions announced this week enable us to expand our operations outside the greater Helsinki area,” says Johan Friman, President of Kesko's car trade division.

Huittisten Laatuauto Oy has provided car-related services since 1991. The company is a dealer for Volkswagen and SEAT in Forssa and Huittinen, and serves customers extensively in the Häme region and Southwest Finland. 

“This transaction serves the objectives of both parties. Together, we will further the expansion of K-Caara’s retailing outside the greater Helsinki area, and make K Group’s services and benefits more widely available to customers in our area,” says Tommi Setälä, Managing Director of Huittisten Laatuauto. 

The pro forma net sales of the business operations to be acquired totalled some €29 million in reporting period that ended in June 2018. The employees will transfer to K-Caara and operations will continue to lease the current premises. The parties do not disclose the transaction price. 

The acquisition is subject to approval by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority. The transaction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2019. 

Further information:
Johan Friman, President, Kesko’s car trade division, johan.friman@kesko.fi, tel. +358 10 533 8451
Martti Muona, Managing Director, K Caara Oy, martti.muona@kesko.fi, tel. +358 10 533 3310
Tommi Setälä, Managing Director, Huittisten Laatuauto Oy, tommi.setala@huttistenlaatuauto.fi, tel. +358 44 560 1681

Kesko Corporation

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K-Auto imports and markets Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Porsche passenger cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and MAN trucks in Finland, and SEAT cars in Estonia and Latvia. K-Auto also develops car-related multichannel services. www.k-auto.fi

K-Auto’s retail company K-Caara is a major retailer of new and used vehicles and it offers servicing and after-sales services at its own outlets in the greater Helsinki area and Turku. K-Caara’s services also include the online sales of used cars, a store for lower price range used cars and leasing services for companies and private customers. www.k-caara.fi

Huittisten Laatuauto is a significant dealer and servicing provider for Volkswagen and SEAT passenger cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the Forssa and Huittinen economic regions. Both branches also offer servicing for Skoda. www.huittistenlaatuauto.fi