600-employee distributor of Nissan, Renault and Dacia changes hands after 50 years under Kuwaiti ownership
One of Ireland’s largest motor distributors and retailers, the Cedar Motor Group, has been acquired by the Portuguese-based Salvador Caetano Group, marking the end of nearly 50 years of ownership by the Kuwaiti al-Babtain family.
Cedar employs 600 people in Ireland, distributing the Nissan, Renault, Dacia and Alpine brands, as well as owning the Windsor Motor Group. Its brands recorded 12,527 new passenger car registrations last year, along with 5,723 van sales.
The Salvador Caetano Group operates automotive businesses in 48 countries across Europe, Africa and South America, with interests spanning distribution, retail, bus manufacturing, industrial equipment, aftersales service, information technology and renewable energy solutions.
In a statement on the takeover, the Salvador Caetano Group said the Irish management team “remains unchanged and will continue to lead the development of the Group into the future.”
James McCarthy, CEO of The Cedar Group, said: “Our Group is now part of a dynamic international automotive group with interests on three continents, allowing us to benefit from international best practice and 80 years of industry experience as we continue to grow and expand in Ireland.”
Sérgio Ribeiro, chief executive of Global Automotive Distribution at Salvador Caetano Auto, said: “Ireland is a dynamic and growing market. The Salvador Caetano Group has a strong heritage of innovation and excellence, and we are excited to bring that and our 80 years of experience to Ireland as we become the new leaders in the Irish motor industry.”
The Salvador Caetano Group began in 1968 as the distributor for Toyota in Portugal and now handles dozens of automotive brands across Europe, Africa and South America, ranging from Audi and BMW in Portugal to Volkswagen in Angola, Nissan in Rwanda and Chad, and Renault in Venezuela.
The acquisition represents a significant consolidation in Ireland’s motor industry as the sector navigates the transition to electric vehicles and changing consumer preferences. The deal provides Cedar with access to the resources and expertise of a major international automotive group while maintaining continuity through retention of the existing Irish management team.