Vertu Motors (LSE:VTU) expects its FY27 results to exceed current market expectations following strong trading during the first five months of the financial year and continued progress with its evolving dealership portfolio.
For the five months to 31 July 2026, the automotive retailer recorded like-for-like growth across revenue as well as new and used vehicle volumes. Its higher-margin aftersales operations also performed strongly, while disciplined cost management helped maintain stable gross margins.
Vertu continued to manage working capital carefully during the period, resulting in a modest reduction in net debt. The group has also maintained its share repurchase strategy, with buybacks having removed almost 22% of its share capital since 2018.
Alongside its improving trading performance, Vertu is accelerating the transformation of its dealership network to capture changing trends in the UK automotive market.
The group is expanding its representation of Chinese automotive manufacturers, including Omoda, Jaecoo, Leapmotor, BYD and MG. It is also adding Alpine, Renault and Dacia franchises as it broadens its brand portfolio and targets emerging areas of customer demand.
At the same time, Vertu is continuing to optimise its existing estate by closing or reconfiguring underperforming Mazda locations, helping improve the overall efficiency and quality of its dealership network.
Order intake remains robust ahead of the important September vehicle registration plate change, providing further confidence heading into a key trading period. The group also highlighted the potential support from the government’s consultation around the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate as the automotive sector adapts to the transition towards electric vehicles.
Against this backdrop, the board now expects Vertu’s full-year FY27 performance to come in ahead of current market expectations, reflecting positive trading momentum, disciplined execution and the benefits of its increasingly diversified franchise portfolio.
More about Vertu Motors
Vertu Motors is one of the UK’s largest automotive retailers, operating 194 sales and aftersales outlets across the country.
Established in 2006, the group has pursued a strategy combining acquisitions with organic growth and operational efficiencies across its scaled dealership network.
Vertu represents a broad and increasingly diversified portfolio of automotive manufacturers, while providing new and used vehicle sales alongside servicing, maintenance and other aftersales activities.
The group’s strategy is centred on expanding its market position, optimising its dealership portfolio and delivering a high-quality customer motoring experience built around honesty and trust.
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