GESSEL advises Wirtualna Polska Media on its purchase of AutoCentrum.pl

We are pleased to announce that our lawyers have supported Wirtualna Polska Media, a member of the Wirtualna Polska group, in the transaction for purchase of a 100% stake in AutoCentrum.pl from the Oponeo Group.

AutoCentrum.pl is a new media company whose holdings include the AutoCentrum.pl peer-to-peer portal which carries assorted content relating to motoring and vehicles – news, opinions, tests (also in video form) and ads.

The Oponeo Group is an online retailer of automobile parts and accessories (primarily tyres and wheel rims) operating via a number of Polish and foreign websites (including oponeo.pl); it also offers IT sales tools.

The AutoCentrum.pl transaction marks another foray by Wirtualna Polska into the automotive segment – in December 2018, also with legal support by GESSEL, WP took a majority stake in Superauto.pl.

As with the Superauto24.pl deal, GESSEL provided WP with comprehensive legal service, conducting due diligence, drafting the transaction documentation and assisting at closing.

“We are happy to have supported Wirtualna Polska in another investment in the automotive segment. This has been a challenging transaction in the documentation and negotiation aspects, making for even greater satisfaction at the successful conclusion”

– Michał Bochowicz, managing associate

The GESSEL team working on this project, led by Michał Bochowicz, managing associate and Weronika Zdeb, senior associate, included Michał Boryczka, managing associate, Marta Grabiec, senior associate, and Piotr Tracz and Mateusz Bąk, associates. Overall supervision was ensured by Małgorzata Badowska, partner.