Groupe Maurin has acquired R-Motion, a major Catalonian automotive dealership, to expand its operations in Spain amidst current challenges in the automotive industry.

Information on the Target

R-Motion, a prominent automotive dealership based in Catalonia, has been acquired by the French automotive giant, Groupe Maurin. This company specializes in the sale of vehicles from Ford, Nissan, Honda, and Suzuki, operating a network of twenty dealerships under the brand names Romacar, Romauto, Romamotor, and Romakuruma. With approximately 400 employees and a legacy spanning four decades, R-Motion was previously owned by the Romagosa family. The dealerships are primarily located in Barcelona and the surrounding areas of Baix Llobregat and Maresme, with an additional presence in Madrid under the Romadrid brand.

In 2019, R-Motion reported consolidated revenues of €212.6 million and a net profit of €1.8 million. However, the company's performance likely declined in the following years, impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and supply chain shortages affecting the automotive industry in 2021. Additionally, R-Motion distributes brands such as Mazda, DFSK, Isuzu, Aixam, and Electric Brands, and it operates five dealerships for electric motorcycle manufacturer Silence under the Romasilence brand. The company also has a used car division named Restrenacar and a specific fleet division targeting businesses and freelancers.

Industry Overview in Spain

The automotive industry in Spain, particularly in Catalonia, has faced significant challenges recently. In the first five months of the current year, car sales have decreased by 10.8% compared to the same period in 2021,