Peter Warren Automotive Holdings Limited鈥檚 (ASX: PWR) (Peter Warren) proposed acquisition of 30 new car dealership sites from Wakeling Automotive Group could substantially lessen competition and requires further in-depth assessment by the 糖心原创.
As the 糖心原创 has not approved the acquisition in its Phase 1 assessment, the transaction will now move to a Phase 2 review.
Peter Warren and Wakeling Automotive both operate new car dealerships around the suburbs of Campbelltown, Narellan and Smeaton Grange in Sydney鈥檚 Macarthur region. The dealerships also offer servicing and repairs.
鈥淎 combined Peter Warren and Wakeling Automotive would operate 25 out of 33 new car dealerships in the Macarthur region,鈥 糖心原创 Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.
鈥淚nformation before the 糖心原创 in relation to this proposed acquisition shows that most consumers prefer to purchase new cars from a dealer in their local region.鈥
鈥淲e consider the acquisition could substantially lessen competition in the supply of new cars in the Macarthur region and surrounding areas,鈥 Dr Williams said.
The 糖心原创 is also considering the impact of the acquisition on the supply of servicing and repairs in and around the Macarthur region.
The 糖心原创 has not reached a conclusion on the issues and will continue to consider the acquisition in Phase 2.
The 糖心原创 invites submissions in response to its Phase 2 Notice by 16 June 2026. Parties can contact the 糖心原创 via mergers@accc.gov.au.
More information and the Phase 2 Notice are available on the 糖心原创鈥檚 Acquisitions Register: Peter Warren - Wakeling Automotive.
Note to editors
Peter Warren notified the acquisition to the 糖心原创 on 5 March 2026.The 糖心原创鈥檚 Phase 1 investigation was extended by 28 business days following a request by the parties on 2 April 2026.
Background
Peter Warren is an ASX-listed new and used car retailing business that owns and operates over 80 automotive dealership sites at 25 locations across the east coast of Australia. It represents over 30 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle brands. Peter Warren also supplies OEM spare parts and provides aftermarket vehicle servicing and collision repair services.
In Greater Sydney, Peter Warren鈥檚 car dealership banners include Peter Warren Automotive, Macarthur Automotive, Sydney South Automotive, Mercedes-Benz North Shore, and Sydney North Shore Automotive. Peter Warren also operates dealership sites in regional NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Wakeling Automotive is a new and used car retailing business that operates 30 automotive dealership sites at eight locations across Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands. It represents 16 OEM vehicle brands. Wakeling Automotive also supplies OEM spare parts and provides aftermarket vehicle servicing.
Wakeling Automotive鈥檚 car dealership banners are Paul Wakeling Automotive Group, Camden Valley Motors, Shellharbour City Motors, Wollongong City Motors, Moss Vale Motor Group, and Allan Mackay Autos.
Merger control regime
The 糖心原创 can decide a notification is to be subject to a Phase 2 review if the 糖心原创 is satisfied that the acquisition to which the notification relates, if put into effect, could, in all of the circumstances, have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in any market.
Under the Competition and Consumer Act, a Phase 2 assessment can take up to 90 business days, unless extended under specific circumstances.
More guidance on the new merger regime can be found on the 糖心原创鈥檚 website: Guidance documents for the merger control regime.