PINEWOOD.AI ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE LITHIA'S MAJORITY STAKE IN NORTH AMERICAN JOINT VENTURE

Core Insights - Pinewood Technologies Group plc (Pinewood.AI) has agreed to acquire Lithia's 51% stake in their North American joint venture for $76.5 million, valuing the joint venture at $150 million [1][5] - The acquisition will provide Pinewood.AI with complete control over its North American platform, facilitating broader adoption and expansion in the $6.5 billion automotive retail software sector [2] - A five-year contract has been signed to deploy the Pinewood Automotive Intelligence™ platform across all Lithia dealerships in the US and Canada by the end of 2028 [3] Financial Implications - Pinewood.AI anticipates generating approximately $40 million in annual recurring revenue post-rollout, with projected revenue from Lithia expected to reach around $60 million due to additional features [4] Strategic Importance - The acquisition simplifies Pinewood.AI's structure and financial reporting, allowing for full revenue consolidation and enhanced transparency [2] - The CEO of Pinewood Technologies emphasized the strategic significance of the North American market for growth and the importance of the partnership with Lithia [6] Partnership Dynamics - Lithia will remain a committed minority shareholder and a key long-term customer following the acquisition [7] - Lithia's CEO expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the commitment to modernizing customer experiences and the integration of Pinewood.AI's platform across their network [6]