A privately owned AM100 dealer group is expanding with the launch of its own leasing division to target customers in the business, fleet and personal leasing sector.
Vines Group, which was ranked 81 in last year’s AM100 with more than £210 million revenues from its BMW and Mini dealerships, has today launched the standalone brand Vines Leasing.
The group said the launch enables the company to support a broader range of customers with straightforward and flexible vehicle solutions, while bringing the Vines’ established approach to customer service into the leasing sector.
A privately owned AM100 dealer group is expanding with the launch of its own leasing division to target customers in the business, fleet and personal leasing sector.
Vines Group, which was ranked 81 in last year’s AM100 with more than £210 million revenues from its BMW and Mini dealerships, has today launched the standalone brand Vines Leasing.
The group said the launch enables the company to support a broader range of customers with straightforward and flexible vehicle solutions, while bringing the Vines’ established approach to customer service into the leasing sector.
Created with the support of Alphabet, BMW’s leasing division, Vines Leasing is overseen by Luke Brackenbury, head of business at Vines of Gatwick, and led by group corporate sales manager Jon Patterson.
Brackenbury has extensive fleet and corporate experience, having previously led the Audi fleet and corporate division at Marshall Motor Group, and Patterson has 16 years experience within the contract hire and leasing sector, including working with brands Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Cupra, Skoda and BMW, previously at Group 1 Automotive UK and Sytner.
Brackenbury said: “The launch of Vines Leasing is a natural extension of our customer-first approach. As customer preferences continue to evolve, it is important that we can support people throughout their vehicle journey.
“Leasing enables us to reach a broader audience, introduce new customers to the Vines brand and build lasting relationships by providing a flexible, straightforward and trusted way to access a vehicle.
“Ultimately, it is about ensuring more customers can benefit from the service, expertise and experience for which Vines is known.”
The new brand has its own distinct visual identity while retaining a clear connection to the wider Vines name. Its logo brings the ‘V’ and ‘L’ together to represent partnership, trust, collaboration and forward movement.
The launch represents the next stage in the development of Vines Group as it responds to the changing ways in which individuals and businesses access and manage their vehicles.
Vines Group managing director Sean Kelly said: “Vines Leasing represents an exciting new chapter for the group. It gives us the opportunity to reach new customers, broaden our business and create another platform for long-term growth. With an experienced leasing team on board and the support of Alphabet UK, we’re really looking forward to building the business and seeing where we can take it.”
Adam Chambers, group operations director at Vines Group, added: “The way customers access and use vehicles is changing, and as a business we need to evolve with them.”
Alison Simmons, head of specialist sales at Alphabet, said the AM100 group#s entrepreneurial mindset aligns strongly with the direction of Alphabet and the wider BMW Group.
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