Teeside dealer group RMB Automotive are preparing to develop a four-acre site for its Renault and Dacia franchises after recording record annual sales amounting to £50.1 million.

RMB had purchased a four-acre site on Yarm Road, Darlington, ahead of the development of an all makes van centre and a new Renault and Dacia Centre but the plans had been put on hold.

A decision is yet to be made on whether a new Toyota Centre will also be included in the plans, but the scheme is now set to be realised by Q1 of 2017.

The project marks an expansion for the group which has recently recorded its best ever year.

RMB’s results for 2015 revealed that pre-tax profits climbed to £321,410, up from £304,171 a year earlier, as turnover climbed to £50.1 million – up on 2014’s £47.1 million.

A company statement said that “margins have been under pressure due to the need to achieve targets and unlock volume-related bonuses.”

However, the group statement added that “All areas of sales and aftersales showed improvement year-on-year and are likely to increase again in 2016.

“In particular the parts business grew by 18% mainly due to the enlarged trade operation which now covers most of the Yorkshire region.”

The expansion adds to the seven dealerships RMB Automotive has operated across Teesside and North Yorkshire since its founding in 2003, for brands including Ford, Toyota and Lexus.

RMB was ranked as Toyota’s top dealer in its customer satisfaction scheme for three consecutive years and represents Toyota in Stockton, Northallerton and Darlington, Ford in Northallerton, Renault in Northallerton and Darlington and Lexus in Stockton.

It also owns a bodyshop near Yarm.

The group introduced a Dacia franchise in June last year, the Northallerton operation helping to take its workforce from 153 to 168 during 2015.