DEALER group Ryland has bought Soans and Soans Vehicle Contracts in a £1.3 million deal. The acquisition incorporates the Ford main dealership for Leamington and Warwick plus an 1,800-vehicle contract hire operation which last year achieved a combined pre-tax profit of £242,000.

The acquisition intensifies the groups representation in the Midlands and will increase its Multifleet contract hire operation to 8,000 vehicles and dealer locations to 42. Ryland also opened a new Mercedes dealership in Manchester - developed at a cost of £1.5 million.