Continued improvements in profitability are a focus for GMUK across its core Vauxhall, Chevrolet and Saab networks.

The carmaker has just completed regional summit meetings with retail partners to update them on the pending sale of GM Europe and to highlight some of the successes of its brands.

The message was about leadership, vision and getting a grip on cashflow.

Andy West, retail network development director at GMUK, said: “Despite the new car industry being down 30% profitability for our networks is significantly up.”

The average market area has reduced its annual cost base by around £100,000, through cutting headcount, interest costs and negotiating supply contracts.

GMUK has simplified how its franchise standards are communicated, so that dealers can understand better what they have to do.

For more on this story, see AM magazine on July 10.