Pendragon announces receipt of proposal from AutoNation

The board of directors of Pendragon (PDNGF) confirms that it has received an unsolicited proposal from AutoNation (AN) to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Pendragon for 32 pence per share, in cash, the company announced in a notice to the London Stock Exchange. “The AutoNation Proposal remains subject to a number of pre-conditions, including the completion of due diligence. The Board will consider the AutoNation Proposal and will consult with its shareholders and provide an update in due course. There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made, nor to the terms of any such offer. Shareholders are advised to take no action at this time. As required by Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, AutoNation is required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 24 October 2023, either to announce a firm intention to make an offer for the Company in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or to announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline may be extended with the consent of the Takeover Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of Pendragon is Richard Maloney, Group General Counsel and Group Company Secretary. This announcement is made without the consent of AutoNation,” the notice stated.