Reliant-Bond merger planned
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• The Reliant Motor Co. Ltd. and Bond Cars Ltd. announce that negotiations are in an advanced stage for the acquisition of Bond by Reliant.
Reliant's intention is to continue to operate both companies as separate entities, and it is stated that there is no question of moving Bond production from the two existing factories in Preston, Lancashire.
In addition to cars, both companies produce glass-fibre van bodies on three-wheel chassis. Reliant is now building threewheelers at the rate of 15,000 a year while Bond produces 1,500. About 2,000 workers are employed by the two firms—more than 1,600 by Reliant in three factories around Tamworth, Staffordshire, and 300 by Bond at Preston.
Both companies were formed between the wars—Bond in 1922 and Reliant in 1935,
• ond Cars Ltd. is a private company, a subsidiary of Loxhams Garages Ltd. The Reliant Motor Co. Ltd. is the principal trading company within the Reliant Motor Group Ltd; formerly Hodgkinson Bennis Ltd. and a member of the Hodge Group.
Bond's present managing director, Mr. Torn Gratrix, is moving in February to become managing director of the Watson Motor Group chain of garages which are part of the Oliver Rix Group. He will also join the boards of Oliver Rix (Commercial Vehicles} Ltd. and Oliver Rix {Garages) Ltd.