Swindon-based motor dealer group Cambria's shares rose by more than 5% after it said trading in the five months of its financial year had been “substantially ahead” of the same period last year.
In a trading update to shareholders the group, which owns 30 dealerships, representing 45 franchises and 18 brands, including Swindon Motor Park, said new vehicle unit sales increased by 17.1% against a market that was up 7.9% during the period. The increase was 9.9% on a like-for-like basis stripping out the impact of new sales space. 
New car margins remained strong and it anticipates that new car volumes will remain robust throughout 2015.
Used vehicle sales also performed well with unit sales 2.1% ahead of the same period last year – flat on a like-for-like basis – with gross profit per unit continuing to increase.
Growth in the group’s aftersales operations also continued, with profitability currently up 7.7% year-on-year, it said.
Its new car order book was “building well” heading into the important March trading period, it said, and it expects to deliver a strong trading performance in what it said was a crucial month. It said viewed the outlook for the remainder of the financial year with confidence.
It also said it was exploring acquisition opportunities following its successful takeover of Barnet Land Rover and Jaguar.
The pre-close trading update comes ahead of the announcement of the group’s results for the six months to February 28.
