Yorkshire-based JCT600 has revealed profits of £8.2 million and a turnover of £465m from its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The group enjoyed a buoyant year off the back of strong used car sales within the group, up 13% over the previous year, a drive to reduce costs and a big focus on customer care initiatives.

As well as growing sales at its existing dealerships, the group has also expanded its operations with the acquisition of Audi dealerships in York and Hull last August, plus the acquisition of three further Audi dealerships in Boston, Lincoln and Grimsby this March.

The group now employs 1,350 staff at its 48 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and the North East.

JCT600 finance director Nigel Shaw said: “2008 was particularly tough for the car industry, but we successfully weathered the storm and believe that the worst is now over.

“During the last year, we have strengthened our position by reducing costs and implementing creative marketing initiatives, with a particular focus on improving our online presence, as well as building our used car stocks to take advantage of the impetus provided by the scrappage scheme.”

John Tordoff, chief executive of JCT600 said: “We were able to establish a strong platform from which to further expand the group and we took the opportunity of adding the Audi marque to complement our existing offering as well as increasing our geographic coverage.

"We expect the addition of these established franchises to have a significant impact on further growing our sales.”

JCT600 has seen signs of returning consumer confidence with its best week ever in the plate-change month of March, selling 632 retail cars with a value of more than £10m.