The John Clark Motor Group (JCMG), one of Scotland’s largest family-owned automotive dealership networks, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hawco Group, a respected Volkswagen Group franchised dealer with locations in Inverness, Elgin and Peterhead.
This transition aligns with Volkswagen Group’s network restructuring plans and comes at a natural time as John and Kevin Hawco, the two remaining family directors, prepare to retire after long and distinguished careers in the motor trade.
A Strategic Expansion into the Highlands
This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for John Clark Motor Group, extending its geographic footprint northward and reinforcing its leadership across Scotland. The Hawco Group brings established Audi, Volkswagen, Škoda, and Volkswagen Commercials dealerships, along with aftersales, and body-repair capabilities.
Leadership Perspectives
Chris Clark, Group managing director of John Clark Motor Group, said: “We are proud to welcome Hawco Group into the John Clark family. This acquisition not only extends our presence into the Highlands but also brings together two businesses with a shared commitment to heritage, customer care, and community. United, we can offer customers an even greater selection of brands and an elevated level of service across Scotland.”
Outgoing managing director, John Hawco, said: “Our family business, founded by our father Jim Hawco in 1953, has represented Volkswagen Group in the North of Scotland for over 70 years. We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers and proud of the dedication of our 200 staff. As Kevin and I move into retirement, we are confident the new owners, also a family-owned and values-led business, will continue to uphold the principles on which Hawco was built.”
Chris Clark and John Hawco
Joe Farrell, group brand director of Hawco Group, added: “I want to first thank John and his family for the years of support and stewardship running Hawco Group. I know I speak for all my colleagues when I say that we are excited to start work with the John Clark Motor Group. I look forward to developing the business and providing our valued customers with a broader offering supported by the resources that come from being part of a bigger group.”
David Kendrick, managing director, Wealth at Cooper Parry, added: “The acquisition of Hawco by JCMG is a great strategic move for them. Hawco has been a long established and successful group, however merging into John Clark gives them initial scale and dominance in the northern Scotland region. It was a pleasure to assist the Hawco family with the transaction and we wish them a long and happy retirement.”
Continued Commitment to Excellence
- Colleagues & Locations: All Hawco branches will continue operating from their current locations with their current brands and their current teams. Continuity is a core principle of this transition.
- Customer Services: John Clark Motor Group plans to enhance the Hawco customer offering by supporting the Hawco team with its wide range of central support services such as their Customer Engagement Centre, Central Funding Unit and Internal Transport Team. In addition to this, they will bring their additional expertise in service plan provision, seamless digital purchase journeys and Motability proficiency.
- Brand Portfolio Growth: The acquisition brings complementary brand coverage, aligning with John Clark Motor Group’s existing roster including Audi, Volkswagen, Škoda, VW Commercial Vehicles and its other brands, offering customers access to a more diverse range of products and services.
- Community & Sustainability: This move strengthens both groups' shared values: community engagement, employee development, and environmental responsibility. John Clark Motor Group continues its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and scalable renewable energy initiatives.
About John Clark Motor Group
Founded in 1974, John Clark Motor Group has grown to a network of over 42 dealerships across Scotland, representing 19 leading automotive brands and serving customers at every stage of the car ownership journey, from new and used sales to servicing, parts, and Motability support. The group celebrated turnover exceeding £1billion in 2024, underpinned by a strong focus on customer service, employee development, and sustainable growth.
About Hawco Group
Hawco Group is a family-owned and operated business with over 70 years of experience representing Audi, VW, VW Commercial Vehicles and Skoda across the North of Scotland, with facilities located in Inverness, Elgin and Peterhead. Started by Jim Hawco in 1953, the business built its reputation on family values, great customer service, and the professionalism of their staff. In its latest year, the Group delivered over £100million of turnover, selling over 4,300 vehicles and over £10million of aftersales revenues.