Bassadone Automotive Nordic acquires Opel importer business in the Baltic countries and in Finland
12 Apr 23
Auto Bon Oy, part of Bassadone Automotive Nordic, owner of Auto Bon Baltic OÜ and the importer of Peugeot and Citroën vehicles in Finland and in the Baltics, acquires Opel import business in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland from LänsiAuto Group. The deal also includes recently opened dealership in Tallinn, Estonia. The deal is subject to approval of competition authorities In the meantime, the businesses continue as they are today. The acquisition will not affect Opel customers and current employees will continue to work under the new owner.
OPEL IS PART OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS
Opel is part of one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, Stellantis Group, which is also the manufacturer of Peugeot, Citroën and DS vehicles Bassadone and LänsiAuto will develop the cooperation even beyond Opel by opening several new Peugeot and Citroën sites in Finland. Combining brands from the same manufacturer under a common distribution chain aligns completely with manufacturer’s strategy and creates significant economies of scale for all stakeholders.
“This is a natural step for us to scale our successful cooperation further with Stellantis The acquisition will enable us to serve our customers and dealers better through the scale of economies in the whole distribution chain, says Markus Vuolle CEO of Auto Bon Oy Opel with its German heritage and characteristics will complement our portfolio of traditional French brands Peugeot, Citroën and DS, Vuolle adds.
LänsiAuto will focus on car retail, rental and leasing operations in Finland and continue to maintain significant role in Opel sales and service network in Finland.
The business environment of automotive industry has changed tremendously in few years, which steers all stakeholders towards consolidation This agreement with Bassadone Group enables us both significant synergies as we are expanding our retail businesses and Bassadone their importer operations.Tommi Köninki CEO, LänsiAuto Oy
AUTO BON HAD ALREADY MADE PROGRESS IN ITS GROWTH
Auto Bon took over Peugeot import rights in the Baltics in summer 2018 followed by the takeover of Citroën import business in 2020. Adding Opel to our brand portfolio is an expected next milestone in our ambitious growth strategy in the region.
The acquisition gives new opportunities to our dealers to expand their business and increase their competitiveness,” says CEO of Auto Bon Baltic OÜ, current Peugeot and Citroën importer in the Baltic countries, Andrus Kuus.
Opel retail in Tallinn will fall under Bassadone’s recently renamed retailer, AutoHalle OÜ AutoHalle is a multi brand dealership with one outlet in Riga, Latvia and two retail outlets is Tallinn, Estonia Opel dealership will be its third retail location in Tallinn.
One of the fastest growing car retailers in the region and Opel is expected and warmly welcomed brand to our diverse portfolio,” says Veiko Karu CEO of AutoHalle OÜ.
“Our business benefits from the economies of scale and current transaction enables us to work more efficiently across brands and business functions which benefits both our end consumers and the dealers,” notes CEO of Bassadone Automotive Nordic Oy, Antti Ruhanen.