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History

Seven generations of passionate entrepreneurs.

1805

1st activity: coachbuilding and wheelwrighting

Jean-Joseph D'Ieteren begins working as a coach-builder. He will be located on the Rue du Marais.

1857

2nd activity: horsecar bodywork

Alexandre D'Ieteren begins trading from 106 Rue Neuve, where he adds vehicle painting and garniture to his trade of coachbuilding and wheelwrighting.

1897

3rd activity: vehicle bodywork

The D'Ieterens are among the first to produce bodywork for motorised vehicles in their new workshop on the Chaussée de Charleroi.

1929

D'Ieteren IPO

D'Ieteren is introduced on the Brussels stock exchange.

1931

4th activity: automobile distribution

D'Ieteren becomes the distributor for US brands Studebaker, Pierce-Arrow, and Auburn.

1935

5th activity: automobile assembly

The company adds assembly plants for vehicle chassis and bodywork arriving as spare parts from Studebaker factories.

1948

Volkswagen

Pierre D'Ieteren signs a contract to import vehicles made by the Volkswagen group.

1956

6th activity: car rental

Launch of "Dit'Rent-a-Car", D'Ieteren's short-term vehicle rental service; the activity is licensed to Avis two years later.

1989

Avis Europe

D'Ieteren enlarges its global footprint by acquiring Avis Europe, a leader in short-term vehicle rental.

1999

7th activity: Belron

Takeover of Belron, world leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement.

2011

Sale of Avis

D'Ieteren withdraws from short-term vehicle rental by selling its 59.6% stake in Avis Europe to Avis Budget Group.

2016

8th activity: diversification

Acquisition of Moleskine, the world-renowned aspirational lifestyle brand.

2018

CD&R

D'Ieteren strengthens its investment capacity by selling a minority 40% stake in Belron to the international investment company.

2021

D’Ieteren Group

D’Ieteren carves out its vehicle distribution and retail business into a new fully-owned subsidiary. The two businesses, until then part of D’Ieteren SA/NV, become two separate entities: D’Ieteren Group and D’Ieteren Automotive, each of them receiving a new graphic identity and logo.

2021

Acquisition of a minority stake in TVH Parts

D’Ieteren Group announces the acquisition of a 40% stake in TVH Parts. Headquartered in Waregem, Belgium, TVH Parts is a global leading independent distributor for aftermarket parts related to material handling, construction & industrial, and agricultural equipment, and is present in 26 countries across all continents.

2022

Acquisition of Parts Holding Europe (PHE)

D'Ieteren Group acquires Parts Holding Europe (PHE), a Western European leader in independent distribution of vehicle spare parts present in six countries: France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Italy and Spain.