Ashurst advises Sojitz on its acquisition of Dutton

Global law firm Ashurst has advised Sojitz Corporation on its acquisition of Albert Automotive Holdings Pty Ltd which operates a wholesale and retail used car business as part of Dutton Group.

Dutton is the largest pure-play operator in the used car market in Australia. It has a strong network of trade partners that enables Dutton to function as an equivalent to B2B auctions. Sojitz is a public company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and has approximately 400 subsidiaries and affiliates located in Japan and globally. Sojitz operates in a wide range of industries including automotive, infrastructure, healthcare and recycling.

Through this acquisition, Sojitz will enter the automobile sales business in Australia and aims to strengthens its automobile business portfolio.

The Ashurst team was led by partnerNatsuko Ogawa, who was assisted by: senior associate Shojeeb Alam, associates Phoebe Phan, Ayumi Shimada, Olivia Sun, Julia Mollica, Janet Chhean, Huiling Mah and Emma LeFevre (Corporate Transactions); partnerHong-Viet Nguyen, senior associate Geena Davies and associate Rojeene Shadfar (Finance Regulatory); partnerJustin Jonesand senior associate Matthew Harper (Competition); partnerEmma Butlerand senior associateCaroline Hogan(Digital Economy Transactions); partnersJon LovellandJane Harvey, counselEmilie Maddoxand associate Alicia Crossley (Employment); partnerGwladys Ngo Tedga Yagla, directorAvideep Agarwaland executive Andrew Karam (Ashurst Risk Advisory); partnerKenneth Tang(Global Loans); associate Hugh Davies (Restructuring and Special Situations Group); partnerKellech Smith, senior associateWill Scott, and associate Melissa Ho (IP/Media); and partnerJason Cornwall-Jones, senior associate杰克Saccardo, and associate Jack Kelly (Real Estate).