MOTOR group South Cleveland Garages (SCG) has hit the acquisition trail for the third time in 18 months.

Three months after acquiring the business and assets of two Peugeot dealerships on Teesside from transport group Arriva, SCG has bought the MPC Citroen dealership in Hartlepool for an undisclosed sum.

Eighteen months ago, SCG bought the PMB Mitsubishi franchise in Darlington.

The three deals have been handled by Teesside commercial law firm, the Endeavour Partnership IIP. SCG now owns two Citroen dealerships, in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, two Peugeot dealerships, also in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, as well as MG-Rover, Hyundai and Suzuki dealerships in Middlesbrough, and the Mitsubishi dealership in Darlington.

Managing director Bill Robson said: "After buying the Peugeot dealership in Hartlepool, the addition of MPC Citroen fits very nicely in our portfolio of popular-make franchises throughout the Tees Valley.

"MPC is a long-established family business, which has held the Citroen franchise in Hartlepool for 25 years and has a loyal customer base.

"When a car dealership comes on the market it is vital that you move quickly. Due to the Endeavour Partnership's experience in and understanding of our industry, we were able to complete the legal process of acquiring the Arriva dealerships in four weeks and MPC in just two," he said.