Annual sales at Swindon-based franchised motor retailer Cambria have passed the £500m mark for the first time, driven by a spate of acquisitions.
The group bought TH White’s Land Rover franchise in Royal Wootton Bassett in May for £7.56m – the latest in a series of takeovers that helped lift turnover up 16.4% to £523.8m in the year to the end of August. 
Underlying pre-tax profits came in up 42.6% to £7.7m with new vehicle sales volumes 9% higher and used cars sales up 4.4%. Aftersales revenue increased 8.6% year on year to £60.6m with the aftersales department contributing 41.5% of overall profitability.
Chief executive officer Mark Lavery said: “The group has delivered a strong set of full-year results, with our sales exceeding £500m for the first time.
“Along with the growth in our underlying profitability, this milestone reflects the continued progress that has been made across our businesses as we take advantage of the UK economic recovery by identifying the right acquisition opportunities and strengthening our position in high luxury and premium brands.
“The acquisitions of the Jaguar Land Rover business in Barnet and the Land Rover business in Swindon fully align with this strategy and I am pleased to report that both businesses have integrated well.”
He said the group’s growth momentum had continued in the first two months of the new financial year with results substantially ahead of the comparable period.
The highly acquisitive group said it planned further takeovers after securing new £37m, five-year banking facilities.
Mr Lavery added: “The board remains focused on strengthening its brand portfolio by actively delivering on our stated acquisition strategy to enhance shareholder value. We are well placed to continue our growth in the current financial year.”
The group now has 29 dealerships, representing 45 franchises and 17 brands panning the high luxury, premium and volume segments.
