Dutch car dealer, leasing and rental group Athlon has revealed plans to expand across Europe.

Henk Birstee, Athlon's chief executive officer, said the company would open new leasing operations in Spain and Italy (to complement its Dutch, Belgian, French, Luxembourg and German companies).

He added that the company would build on its 42 car repair bodyshops in the Netherlands by opening bodyshops in Belgium and Luxembourg.

'We can create synergies between dealers, leasing and repairers,' said Birstee when collecting a PricewaterhouseCoopers '2000 European Automotive Shareholder Value Award'. (July 2000)