The Cedar Group, one of Ireland’s largest motor distributors and retailers, has been acquired by the Salvador Caetano Group which is entering the Irish market for the first time, writes Trish Whelan.
The Cedar Group is the largest independent motor group in Ireland and employing over 600 people, sold almost 28,000 vehicles in 2025, and has a turnover close to €1 billion per annum. It comprises Nissan Ireland, distributors of Nissan cars; Cedar Motors, distributors of Renault, Dacia and Alpine cars; and the Windsor Motor Group, one of the largest automotive retail groups in Ireland representing the Nissan, Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Peugeot, Opel, Mazda, Citroen, and Suzuki franchises.
The acquisition ends almost 50 years of ownership by the Kuwaiti based Al Babtain family.
The management team at the Cedar Group remains unchanged and will continue to lead the development of the Group into the future.
James McCarthy, CEO of The Cedar Group, (pictured above) said: “This acquisition is the perfect fit for the future development of the business as well as being a sold endorsement of the Irish car market and the Nissan, Renault, Dacia and Alpine franchises.”
The Salvador Caetano Group, headquartered in Portugal, is a global leader in the automotive industry with operations in 48 countries across Europe, Africa and South America. It has over 80 years of experience in automotive distribution and retail, bus manufacturing, industrial equipment, after sales service, information technology and renewable energy solutions.
