Autobacs Forms Credit Line for Acquisitions

(Akron/Tire Review) Japanese automotive parts and accessories retailer Autobacs Seven Co. has established a committed line of credit capped at $822.8 million, to finance the acquisition of competitors inside and outside Japan. An agreement for the five-year commitment line was signed with an investment firm in the UK.

Autobacs will also soon set up a panel to discuss its planned acquisitions and include outside experts to obtain their advice. But the firm says it is “not yet at a point where the acquisition plans can be announced.”

Autobacs said it intends to boost domestic sales, including those at its franchised stores, to approximately $3 billion by fiscal 2008 from the fiscal 2006 level of $2.5 billion. In April, Autobacs reached an agreement to buy U.S. parts retailer Strauss Discount Auto out of bankruptcy for a price of up to $55 million.