LOOKERS, the motor retailer and after-sales specialist, has predicted a bumper first-half performance.

The group, which has about 20 car dealerships across Merseyside and Cheshire including the Saab, Vauxhall and Chevrolet marques, announced in a trading update that its half year results should exceed management expectations.

It added that all its divisions are performing ahead of plan and chief executive Peter Jones added: “We believe the group will deliver record results for the first half of the year, giving us confidence that we can continue to grow the business and deliver successful results for the full year, despite the economic challenges facing the UK retail sector.”

The update showed that the independent parts division is continuing to deliver record results, while the motor division has achieved trading results ahead of budget and the prior year.

It also outperformed the general 20% market increase in new vehicle sales growth.

And while used car sales and after-sales were affected for a short time by the adverse weather conditions in January, trading continues to be at “encouraging levels”, said the update which covered the period from may 11 to June 30, the end of the financial year.