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| Scottish billionaire car dealer Sir Arnold Clark dies | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Sir Arnold Clark, the founder of Britain's biggest independent group of car dealerships, has died at the age of 89. | Sir Arnold Clark, the founder of Britain's biggest independent group of car dealerships, has died at the age of 89. |
| The billionaire was born in Glasgow, where he set up his first showroom in 1954. | |
| A statement said he had passed away peacefully, "surrounded by his family". | A statement said he had passed away peacefully, "surrounded by his family". |
| It added that Sir Arnold, who was knighted in 2004, was "an inspiration" and said "the family will continue to carry on his vision". | It added that Sir Arnold, who was knighted in 2004, was "an inspiration" and said "the family will continue to carry on his vision". |
| He was confirmed as Britain's first billionaire car dealer in the Sunday Times Rich List in 2016. | He was confirmed as Britain's first billionaire car dealer in the Sunday Times Rich List in 2016. |
| The company which bears Sir Arnold's name has 200 dealerships across the UK, with more than 18,000 new and used cars in stock. It posted profits of £107.2m in 2014 on sales of £3.2bn. | |
| Sir Arnold founded the business after leaving the Royal Air Force in the early 1950s. | |
| He used his demob money to buy a Morris Ten-Four for just £70. Having restored the car to its former glory and sold it on for a profit, he began to buy and sell cars. | |
| His first showroom was in Glasgow's Park Road. | |
| Who was Sir Arnold? | |
| A statement from his family said: "Sir Arnold Clark away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and a great friend and employer to many. | A statement from his family said: "Sir Arnold Clark away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and a great friend and employer to many. |
| "He was an inspiration and the family will continue to carry on his vision. He will be greatly missed." | "He was an inspiration and the family will continue to carry on his vision. He will be greatly missed." |
| His company, Arnold Clark Automobiles, said it was saddened to announce the passing of its founder and chairman. | His company, Arnold Clark Automobiles, said it was saddened to announce the passing of its founder and chairman. |
| In a statement it said: "Sir Arnold was a truly inspirational business leader and influential public figure. | In a statement it said: "Sir Arnold was a truly inspirational business leader and influential public figure. |
| "His unsurpassed work ethic and strong family values led him to build a market-leading automotive retailer that continues to go from strength to strength. | "His unsurpassed work ethic and strong family values led him to build a market-leading automotive retailer that continues to go from strength to strength. |
| "Sir Arnold's entrepreneurial ideals continue to be at the heart of the business. | "Sir Arnold's entrepreneurial ideals continue to be at the heart of the business. |
| "His personal philosophies will continue to inspire everybody who works in the business, and will be the cornerstone of its future growth and continuing success." | "His personal philosophies will continue to inspire everybody who works in the business, and will be the cornerstone of its future growth and continuing success." |
| It added: "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. | It added: "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. |