ACP Media grows with new classified acquisitions

1 March 2005

ACP Media grows with new classified acquisitions

ACP Media announced today the acquisition of The Car Dealer magazine and website for an undisclosed sum. The purchase expands ACP Media’s automotive classifieds portfolio which also acquired autobuy.co.nz and car.co.nz in January 2005.

“The Car Dealer magazine and website acquisitions increase our market share in automotive classifieds and put us in a strong position for future growth,” says Heith Mackay-Cruise, CEO of ACP Media.

Known as the “green book”, The Car Dealer is a free, weekly, glossy A4 magazine. It is distributed through kerb-side and car-yard pick-up boxes in four regions (Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Christchurch). Advertising is available to car dealers only and will offer a complementary channel to ACP Media’s existing auto titles such as Auto Trader, Motor Buyer’s Guide and Buy Sell & Exchange.

“ACP Media’s leadership in the auto trading market means we can offer advertisers a powerful suite of publications to reach car buyers nationally. Through our existing publications we already have strong relationships with dealerships and The Car Dealer magazine is a natural extension to the products we can offer them,” says Mr Mackay-Cruise.

Autobuy.co.nz is currently the third ranked motoring website in New Zealand and specialises in building websites for car dealers. It attracts 220 online dealers and 40,000 users monthly. Car.co.nz is New Zealand’s leading motorsport portal and predominantly trades performance vehicles.

“Autobuy.co.nz and car.co.nz are valuable additions to our online offering. ACP Media’s existing motor vehicle trading site, Autopoint.co.nz, now hosts a network of 900 dealers and offers 50,000 vehicles for sale, making us the market leader for online vehicle trading,” says Mr Mackay-Cruise.

The acquisition of The Car Dealer magazine, Autobuy.co.nz and Car.co.nz also grows ACP Media’s presence throughout New Zealand. The Car Dealer is particularly strong in Christchurch and Wellington, with smaller editions published in the Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu. The online channels are available to users nationwide.
“We have been expanding the depth and breadth of our print and online products over the past six months as part of an overall strategy to strengthen ACP Media’s position in the classifieds market. The refresh of Trade-A-Boat and launch of NZ Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations and Lifestyle Block have also been key developments in this area and we are looking forward to another strong year in 2005,” he says.

ENDS

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