• Inchcape Group can trace its origins back to 1847 when William Mackinnon and Robert Mackenzie, two merchants from Campbeltown, formed a general merchanting partnership, Mackinnon Mackenzie & Company (MMC).

  • Joining the business in 1874, James Lyle Mackay, 1st Earl of Inchcape was one of the founding fathers of the Inchcape complex of companies that would eventually become Inchcape plc.

  • At the forefront of technological advances, Inchcape Group’s predecessor company was an early adopter of the internal combustion engine transport revolution, becoming one of the first importers of motorcars into Asia. In 1925, Borneo Motors was founded to sell cars in Singapore, a business Inchcape would go on to acquire in 1967.

  • Inchcape Group was floated on the London Stock Exchange as IGD Ltd., with 25% of the company being offered to investors.
  • IGD Ltd became Inchcape plc
  • Inchcape awarded distribution contract for Subaru Australia.
  • The first full year of trading as an automotive-only business
  • Period of retail expansion and acquisition across Australasia, China, Europe and the UK

  • Launch of the Ignite strategy and a reshaping of the business towards automotive distribution; acquisition of Indumotora and expansion of Subaru business in South America; awarded contract to distribute Jaguar Land Rover in Thailand
  • Awarded distribution contracts for Peugeot and Citroen in Australia; and BMW in Estonia
  • Acquisition of Grupo Rudelman and distribution of Suzuki in Costa Rica and Panama; awarded BMW in Guam; and Jaguar Land Rover in Kenya
  • Awarded contracts to distribute BMW in Lithuania and Kenya; acquisition of Autolider and become distributor of Mercedes in Uruguay and Ecudaor

  • Continued expansion of Mercedes in Central and South America, adding Colombia and El Salvador; Jaguar Land Rover awarded for Poland and Colombia; MINI and BMW Motorrad added to BMW in Chile and Peru

  • ‘Driving What Matters’ and a new company purpose: “Bringing mobility to the world’s communities – for today, for tomorrow and for the better.”

  • Developed in Australia as a joint venture with Allied Credit, Inchcape Financial Services provides financial service solutions to our distribution networks, retail businesses and customers.

  • Became the foremost distributor of Mercedes in Latin America, adding Guatemala, Barbados and the Caribbean to the portfolio; Jaguar Land Rover distribution awarded for Indonesia; global strategic partnership announced with Geely, starting in Chile; acquisition of Morrico with over 25 commercial brands in Guam and several Pacific island groups.
  • Launch of One Inchcape Values and Behaviours: “We deliver great experiences through fresh thinking and working better together.”
  • Acquisition of Ditec and the distribution contracts for Porsche, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover in Chile.

  • In October 2022, Inchcape launched bravoauto in the Australian market. First introduced in late 2021 by Inchcape in the United Kingdom, bravoauto is a global automotive brand which offers a wide selection of quality used cars, all with additional value-added benefits.

  • Following the acquisition of Great Lake Motor Distributors operation’s, Inchcape was appointed the importer and distributor for LDV and SsangYong in the New Zealand market. With five owned dealerships, the acquisition also enabled Inchcape to enter retail operations in New Zealand.

  • Inchcape sold its UK Retail operations to Group 1 for £346m. This successful transaction marks a significant milestone in Inchcape’s journey to become a pureplay Distribution business.

  • Inchcape was appointed the Australian distributor for FOTON, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. Commencing in Q4, 2024, Inchcape will bring to the Australian market a range of FOTON new energy and internal combustion engine utes and vans, and internal combustion engine trucks.