Inchcape plc

Highlights

29th July 2010

Robust recovery of the Group’s earnings with 76%* PBT growth

Inchcape plc, a leading international automotive distributor and retailer, announces its half year results for the period ended 30 June 2010.

Operational & strategic highlights:

· Solid revenue growth due to strength of international portfolio and diversified revenue streams

· Trading profit growth of 45.2% driven by progress in most regions

· 62% of trading profit from Asia Pacific and the Emerging Markets

· Strong operational leverage delivers a trading margin of 4.3%,100bps ahead of last year

· Good cash conversion: £84.9m of net cash at period end

Financial highlights:

· Reported sales £3.1bn (2009: £2.8bn), up 11.1% in actual currency and up 7.9% in constant currency

· Pre exceptional PBT £115.2m (2009: £65.4m), up 76.1% in actual currency and up 67.7% in constant currency

· Reported PBT £115.2m (2009: £47.0m)

· Adjusted EPS* 17.2p (2009: 12.7p), up 35.4%

· Reported EPS 17.2p (2009: 7.3p), up 135.6%

· Operating cash flow £104.5m (2009: £272.0m)

* before exceptional items

André Lacroix, CEO of Inchcape plc, commented:

“We have delivered a robust recovery with PBT* up 76% in the first half of the year, which is a testament to the strength of Inchcape’s broad geographic portfolio and diversified revenue streams. We benefited from the positive impact of operational leverage with strong vehicle revenues driven by industry growth and market share gains in many of our markets and good momentum in our Aftersales business which represents half of the Group’s gross profit.

“Inchcape’s competitive position continues to improve through our strategic commitment to superior customer service enabled by our operational focus on our Top Five Priorities of growing market share, growing Aftersales, reducing costs, managing working capital and selective capital expenditure investment.

“The Group has started to benefit from the industry recovery in several of its markets. We expect the continuation of an uneven global recovery and so remain cautious for the second half of 2010. Austerity measures implemented by a number of European governments including the UK may affect consumer confidence and slow down the global recovery that is being driven by strong growth in Asia Pacific and the Emerging Markets. Nonetheless, we currently expect the Group will deliver another strong performance in 2010.

“Given our trading performance and the strong financial position of the Group, the Board intends to recommend a final dividend for the current financial year.

“We are uniquely positioned worldwide as a leading international automotive distributor and retailer, operating in strong economies around the world with 62% of our trading profit coming from Asia Pacific and the Emerging Markets.”

Dowload full Interim Report 2010

Group Communications, Inchcape plc Investor Relations, Inchcape plc

+44 (0) 20 7546 0022 +44 (0) 20 7546 8209

Financial Dynamics (Jonathon Brill/Billy Clegg)

+44 (0) 20 7831 3113

Notes to editors

About Inchcape:

Inchcape is a leading, independent international automotive distributor and retailer operating in 26 markets. Inchcape has diversified multi-channel revenue streams including sale of new and used vehicles, parts, service, finance and insurance.

Inchcape’s vision is to be the world’s most customer-centric automotive retail group and represents some of the world’s leading automotive brands, including Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, Honda, Land Rover and Jaguar.

Inchcape, which has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1958, is headquartered in London and employs around 14,300 people.

www.inchcape.com