STRONG used car sales and a record performance by its truck division helped motor dealership CD Bramall push half-year profits ahead 28 per cent.

The Harrogate group said pre-tax profits in the six months to June 30 rose to £17.1m, with operating profits ahead 33 per cent at £20m.

Bramall said trading was favourable during the period, with consumer confidence buoyant and used car volumes strong throughout. Its truck division saw net profits move ahead by 16.8 per cent.

The group has 93 car dealerships across the UK dealing in all the major brands and 21 truck outlets in an area between Newcastle and Leicester.

It also has a parts and leasing division consisting of two leasing companies, Bramall Contracts and Extra Leasing.

Tony Bramall, chairman, said: "With the anticipation of a strong September and mindful of our current order intake, I am confident of a good outcome to the year."

Bramall's car dealership division sold 26,345 second hand cars during the period, up 15.3 per cent on last time.

Like-for-like new car retail sales increased more than four per cent against last year, with total sales of 30,304 cars.

The division's total turnover increased to more than £700m with net profits rising 40 per cent.

The group bought the Quicks Group's car dealerships in May last year for £54m and it said the car division's figures reflected a full half-year's contribution from Quicks.

The group's truck division saw a record half year, with sales of vans and trucks up five per cent and 13 per cent respectively and net profits ahead about 16.8 per cent.