Trading Statement

Northgate PLC
07 November 2006


7 November 2006



                                 Northgate plc

Pre-Close Trading Statement


Northgate plc ('Northgate' or the 'Group'), the leading commercial vehicle hire
company in the UK and Spain, is today issuing an update on trading ahead of its
close period before the release of its interim results for the period ended 31
October 2006.

Trading for the Group for the first six months has been satisfactory.

In the UK we have increased utilisation to around 91%, which, combined with
modest fleet growth, has resulted in the number of vehicles on hire being in
line with expectations. Whilst the market place remains competitive we have not
experienced the same pressure on hire rates that we saw last year.

Residual values have improved slightly against the levels achieved in the second
half of the previous financial year.

In Spain we continue to see strong demand for our product and as a result fleet
growth and operating profits are in line with the Board's expectations.

Interest costs have been adversely impacted particularly by the increases in
Euribor. The Group has recently increased the value of its loans denominated in
Euros following the acquisition of Record Rent a Car SA in May 2006.

Overall the Board remains confident of a satisfactory outcome for the Group for
the year as a whole.

Northgate's interim results will be announced on 9 January 2007.


                                     -Ends-



For further information, please contact:


Northgate plc Tel: [phone]
Steve Smith, Chief Executive Officer
Gerard Murray, Group Finance Director


Hogarth Partnership Limited Tel: [phone]
Andrew Jaques
Barnaby Fry
Anthony Arthur



Further information regarding Northgate can be found on the Group's website:

http://www.northgateplc.com



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange