CAR dealer CD Bramall broke through the £1bn turnover barrier last year.

The Harrogate based retailer saw pre-tax profits rise 26.5 per cent on the back of buying the Quicks motor group.

Tony Bramall, chairman, said: "This has been a record year for the group, with sales breaking through the £1bn mark for the first time.

"Block exemption and improved profit margins from the Quicks acquisition should produce further opportunities for the group. This year has started well and we are in front of our budget after two months."

The company also witnessed new car registrations hit record levels of 2.56m.

Turnover was up 40 per cent from the 2001 level of £989m for the year ended December 31. Operating profit rose 26 per cent, from £23.5m to £29.5m, and net profit before tax rose from £19.1m to £24.1m.

The dividend paid to shareholders increased by ten per cent, to 9.13p for the year, and earnings per share up 27.8 per cent to 45.29p.

The acquisition of Quicks Group last May will enable the company to achieve greater scale, according to the chairman, and take advantage of the opportunities arising out of the block exemption regulations.

The regulation changes will see an increased level of competition in the car retail industry after the European Commission acted to stop exclusive distribution and marketing rights being given to certain car sales companies.