Lookers PLC
08 May 2003
8 May 2003
LOOKERS PLC
AGM STATEMENT
At today's Annual General Meeting of Lookers plc, Fred Maguire, Chairman, made
the following statement:
'Earlier this year I was delighted to be able to announce another record
performance for the Company during 2002, with substantial growth in annual
turnover (up 10%) and profit before taxation up 18%.
Now I am pleased to report the Company has made a very positive start to 2003
and trading in the first quarter has out-performed last year's equivalent. This
is a key trading period for the Company as it includes the peak months of
January in Northern Ireland and March elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
We are particularly pleased with the performance of businesses acquired since
the start of the year which have exceeded our expectations. In addition, the
Group's existing businesses (like-for-like) have also performed ahead of last
year in both unit sales and operating profitability.
Although the national new car market was marginally down (-1.3%) in the first
quarter, Lookers new car sales are up - both on a like-for-like basis and, of
course, over the enlarged group. In addition, our used car sales volumes have
increased substantially - again both like-for-like and the Group as a whole.
Since the publication of preliminary results in March, the Company has completed
the acquisition of the Volkswagen territory for Blackburn, Lancashire.
Increased sales volumes of both new and used cars will bring future benefit to
our successful aftersales division through our Customers for Life strategy.
Therefore the Board remains confident of a strong performance for the year as a
whole'.
Enquiries:
Lookers plc Fred Maguire, Chairman 0161 291 0043
Ken Surgenor, Chief Executive 0161 291 0043
David Dyson, Group Financial Director 0161 291 0043
Hudson Sandler Andrew Hayes 020 7796 4133
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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