DEKRA Acquires French AutoContact Group

BORDEAUX, France and STUTTGART, Germany, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Global Presence in Used Car Management

• Used Car Services at Locations in 17 Countries in Future
• Acquisition Strengthens Regional and Content Coverage
• Customers to Benefit From Uniform Standards Worldwide

The global expert organisation DEKRA is acquiring all shares in the French used car specialist AutoContact Holding SAS, Bordeaux. The purchase agreement was signed on July 7 in Bordeaux. The company is one of the leading European providers in used car management. Its customers include renowned vehicle manufacturers, leasing companies, vehicle rental operators and dealers. AutoContact employs 430 staff and forecasts revenues of around €63 million in 2011.

"With the acquisition of AutoContact we are now placing our growing used car management business on an even broader international basis," commented Stefan Kölbl, Chairman of the Management Board of DEKRA e.V. and DEKRA SE. "Together with our new French subsidiary, we are now European market leader also in this automotive segment."

"With our broad service portfolio along the entire value chain, DEKRA and our company complement each other perfectly," emphasised Frédéric Schmitt, CEO of the AutoContact Group. "We have more than 25 years of experience in the used car management sectors of documentation, logistics coordination, technology, marketing, sales support and IT. Our proven cooperation with DEKRA Automotive in France is now culminating in a partnership that offers us new prospects for internationalisation under the strong DEKRA brand."

Peter Chapman, Managing Director of DEKRA Expert UK, anticipates "an important strengthening of regional and content coverage" from the collaboration between DEKRA and AutoContact. "From now on, we can offer our UK customers a full portfolio in the area of used car management."

DEKRA and AutoContact are jointly active in used car management services in 17 countries. While DEKRA operates beyond Europe in the US, Brazil and China, the French company has a clear focus on Europe and serves customers in a total of 20 countries from nine locations.

In particular, DEKRA and AutoContact intend to coordinate their processes for IT solutions and services offerings. Services in all areas of used car management are to be expanded globally through the DEKRA network.

About DEKRA

DEKRA is one of the world's leading expert organisations. The company currently operates in more than 50 countries. Some 25,000 staff work to ensure sustained safety, quality and environmental protection. DEKRA SE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DEKRA e.V. and is responsible for the company's operational business. The DEKRA business units Automotive, Industrial and Personnel provide skilled and innovative services in the fields of vehicle inspections, expert appraisals, international claims management, consulting, industrial and product testing, certifications, environmental protection, qualifications and temporary work in addition to outplacement and recruitment. In 2010, DEKRA generated revenues of €1.86 billion.

About AutoContact

The AutoContact Group is a European service provider. It today serves customers in more than 20 European countries from nine locations. Its range of services covers the entire B2B used car lifecycle. AutoContact currently manages around 310,000 vehicles. Its services are bundled in three business units. AutoContact Services handles used car management for manufacturers and organises returns and processes prior to sales. AutoContact Business offers marketing and sales promotion solutions. AutoContact Networks optimises used car management at dealer networks. The Group employs around 430 people and generated revenues of more than €56 million in 2010.

Contact:
DEKRA Expert UK
Peter Chapman
Managing Director
Office: Tel: +44(0)1409-255998
Email: peter.chapman@dekra-expert.co.uk

SOURCE DEKRA e.V.