Aberdeen firm John Clark Motor Group is headed for a fifth consecutive record-busting performance this year, its boss told the Press and Journal.
The car dealer’s chairman and managing director, John Clark, was speaking after the business raked in pre-tax profits of £7.4million from best ever sales of £470million in 2013.
Growing demand for new and used cars in a recovering economy helped dealers throughout the UK during 2013, but John Clark outperformed the industry by growing its total sales by 33%.
It was the fourth year in a row of record sales by the firm, whose profits surged by 68% as it also benefited from the impact of recent acquisitions.
Mr Clark said sales of new vehicles shot up by 31% last year, to 11,101 units.
Used vehicles sales grew by 27%, to 9,023 units, helping the firm’s overall total smash through the 20,000 barrier for the first time.
Sales in both categories during the first six months of 2014 were “well ahead” of last year, putting the business on course for annual sales of about 25,000 units.
The group said it also achieved an eighth consecutive year of turnover growth across its network of service workshops, accident repair centres and parts operations during 2013.
A key factor in the firm’s growth last year was its acquisition of four dealerships.
It snapped up Rover sites in Cupar and Perth and Jaguar branches – its first for the brand – in Edinburgh and Perth.
The company also continued to invest in existing showrooms, as well as new flagship facilities for Nissan and Mini operations at Balmoral Park in Aberdeen.
Mr Clark said: “2013 was another strong year for the company.
“One of the highlights…was the acquisition of the new dealerships, and I am pleased to say that all four are making good progress and generating results which are well ahead of expectations.
‘In addition we have invested in our existing franchises with the development of new showrooms for Nissan, Mini, Skoda and Seat in Aberdeen, as well as expanding our Volkswagen dealership in Kirkcaldy.
“Looking to the future, we have further plans to refurbish a number of our other dealerships, including Dundee Audi and Volkswagen Aberdeen, in the next 12-18 months.
“All of this continues to improve the customer experience we offer.”
John Clark’s workforce has mushroomed to more than 1,060 people, from 931, since the start of this year.
Its brand portfolio includes Audi, BMW, BMW Motorcycles, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercials and Nissan.
The group has sites in Aberdeen, Cupar, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Perth.