We have advised Inflexion Private Equity on the combination of two of the automotive industry’s leading retail software suppliers, Autofutura and GForces, in a merger to form a new group. With the rapid acceleration of the digitisation of the automotive sales process, the companies have come together to maximise sales efficiency and improve the way consumers buy cars.
The new group sees the combination of Autofutura, the global, data-driven business intelligence provider, with market leading automotive e-commerce and omnichannel supplier, GForces. It also benefits from the expertise of the recently acquired Chrysalis Loyalty business, now an integral part of Autofutura.
The first of its kind in the industry, the new group aims to connect car maker, finance provider, dealer and consumer to optimise the entire customer journey – through the provision of software and data services.
The transaction drew on deep expertise from across the firm's private equity, banking & finance, tax & incentives, employment, and commercial, technology & data teams.
Commenting on the deal, Private Equity partner Jonny Bethell, said: "It was a pleasure to work with Inflexion and both companies, helping to create this new automotive technology group. As one of the pre-eminent firms for advising on technology transactions, it is always great to work alongside innovative businesses like Autofutura and GForces."
Christian Erlandson, CEO of the new group, commented: "The digitisation of the automotive sales process is accelerating at an unprecedented pace and now is the time to combine the expertise of Autofutura and GForces".
The team was led by Private Equity partner Jonny Bethell, with support from senior associate Alex Walker and associate Sarah Wallace.
Additional advice was provided by Banking & Finance partner Martin Yells and associates Kate Bowden and Jessica Richard-Webb, Tax partners Ann Casey and Liz Wilson, Employment, Pensions & Mobility partner Sean Nesbitt and senior associate James Watkins, and Commercial Technology & Data partner Sian Skelton and associate Matt Ives.
