Suzuki is expecting to have its Milton Keynes and Northampton franchises back in operation by the end of the year, following the administrative restructure of three-site dealer group Braylake in October.

AM reported on Braylake’s administration in the October 19 issue, at which point only the Northampton branch had been closed.

The Milton Keynes franchise shut down shortly afterwards, despite Suzuki GB claiming there was “no sign” it would do so.

The remaining site in Leighton Buzzard, which had been trading under administrators KPMG, will continue as The Leighton Car Company under former Braylake director Philip Haupt.

A Suzuki spokesman told AM that they were in talks with three large dealer groups for the two franchises, though none can be named at this stage.

Braylake, a former Suzuki dealer of the year, went into administration after an alleged breakdown between its business partners.

Companies House records show pre-tax profits of £95,000 for 2006 from £13.3m turnover, almost half its 2004 sales.