A CAR dealership with branches in Kirklees has reported improved trading after issuing two profit warnings this year.
Pendragon, which includes Evans Halshaw’s Peugeot dealership on Northgate, Huddersfield, and sites in Dewsbury and Batley, said trading conditions were tough.
But it stressed that it expected a satisfactory outcome to the financial year.
The group responded to the tougher conditions in 2007 by targeting lower- price used cars.
It also reduced its exposure to nearly new cars, where prices had been hit by lower new car prices.
It also axed small sites and added 19 former Dixons dealerships.
Evans Halshaw, which has 155 outlets, reported a 3% fall in new car sales volumes.
Used car volumes were also down by 3% while profit margins – while slightly higher – were below those last year.
A statement said group earnings fell by 51% to £46.5m last year on flat sales if £5.1bn.
Analysts are forecasting profits of about £42m this time.
