EVANS Halshaw, the vehicle distribution and fleet management specialist, has raised £1.3 million by selling dealership property and an engineering subsidiary as the first stage of a divestment programme.

The Group's central Bristol property, which until recently was occupied by Brunel Ford, has been sold for £800,000, the fixtures, fittings, parts stock and operations of the Group's Warwick Renault dealership has been acquired by Ryland for £100,000 and Air Drive, the Group's engineering company which supplies and fits vehicle compressors, has been sold to Drum Engineering for £400,000.

The Group is currently in discussion with a number of other interested parties concerning the remaining businesses earmarked for disposal as part of the company's £19.8 million restructuring programme.