Vehicle care retail franchise Automotive Art is preparing for international expansion in Central and South America in 2007. The Barbados-based company's Chief Executive Office Derek Foster has revealed that negotiations are taking place with potential franchise partners in Costa Roca, Nicaragua, Panama and Guatemala.

The company's outlets are styled as one-stop superstores and service centres offering car accessories, batteries, care products, paint and ancillaries, tools, tyres, wheels and the services to install them. The company operates in 22 countries in the Caribbean (14 through franchisees), including Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.