Arnold Clark has joined the RMIF’s National Franchised Dealers Association because its retail operations in England are becoming increasingly important.

Eddie Hawthorne, managing director, said: “Sales south of the border account for about 25% of our turnover and will increase. We are talking to a number of companies about possible acquisitions and also building a used car operation at Stafford that will open this year.”

Hawthorne said he was attracted by the NFDA’s strong stance on preparation for the next EC Block Exemption review in 2010. He has accepted an invitation to join the NFDA’s executive committee and will attend his first meeting next month (April).

“My hope for Block Exemption is that the status quo is retained,” said Hawthorne. “I don’t want to see manufacturers introducing another round of changes to premises and new standards that are not necessary.”

Arnold Clark, which has joined the NFDA for the first time, will continue to be a member of the Scottish Motor Trade Association. An informal conversation with NFDA director Sue Robinson at an AM dinner was later progressed into Arnold Clark’s membership.

Robinson said: “Arnold Clark’s welcome membership comes after two years of hard work that has seen most of the UK’s leading groups join and strengthen the NFDA.”

The NFDA has all but two groups in the top ten of the AM100: Pendragon, Inchcape Retail, Arnold Clark, Sytner Group, Lookers, Jardine Motors Group, Ford Retail and Vertu. The exceptions are Mercedes-Benz Retail Group (DaimlerChrysler Retail was once a member) and Camden Corporate Fleet.