Peoples, the UK’s largest independent Ford dealer, says it is on course for another record-breaking year with turnover expected to reach £200 million.

For the last 12 month measurement, car sales year on year have risen 22% overall for the group, with its Scottish businesses doing slightly better than those in the north west of England. 

The commercial vehicle division recently expanded and is now the only Transit Centre in Edinburgh, with sales of more than 600 new commercial vehicles anticipated in a year.

Peoples' chairman Brian Gilda said: “We have continued to grow our share in the markets we operate in, significantly helped by Ford delivering exceptional products customers really want to buy - Fiesta and Focus continue to lead national sales figures.

“The interim results for the financial year indicate another increase in turnover this financial year and given that markets and margins don’t weaken between now and my year end in July, I have a similar profit before tax expectation.  

"Last year’s best ever full-term figures in 30 years of trading showed a 100% profits boost to just over £4m."

As a result of the positive figures, Gilda, who has a long association with UK and international charities including Amnesty International which he is a director of, as well as other local community projects, announced his involvement with a further three new sponsorships as part of Peoples’ Social Responsibility Policy. 

These include Children 1ST (formerly the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band and the Scottish Motor Racing Club.

For a second year, Gilda who was mentor to the SSE Glasgow Team, continues his association with the ‘Dragons’ Glen’ corporate challenge organised by Children 1ST to raise money for vulnerable children across Scotland. 

Also benefitting from sponsorship is Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, who were last year’s runners-up in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association’s Champion of Champions competition. 

Under a two-year sponsorship deal, the band will be re-named Peoples Ford - Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia . 

Peoples will also continue its links with the Scottish Motor Racing Club, where the company will again sponsor the Fiesta XR2 and ST Cup Championships in addition to the Formula Ford events at Knockhill Racing Circuit near Dunfermline.

Peoples employs more than 400 people at seven dealership locations in Scotland and the north-west of England. 

Peoples Group employs more than 400 people at seven Ford main dealerships, three in central Scotland and four in the north west of England, located at: Hermiston Quay, Edinburgh;  Callendar Road, Falkirk;  Almondvale, Livingston; Orrell Lane, Bootle; Bridge Road, Prescot; Speke Hall Road, all Liverpool; Whalley Road, Accrington.  The company is privately-owned with institutional shareholders.