FAST-GROWING dealer group Dixon Motors enjoyed another year of rapid expansion in which it posted record profits for the fourth consecutive year. In the year to December 31, 1996 the Hull-based operation reported pre-tax profits up 64% at £5.5 million (1995: £3.4m) on turnover up 86% at £262.6 million (1995: £141.0m).

Dixon's 21 outlets sold almost 10,000 new cars and 14,000 used cars - a combined increase of 68% over the previous year's 14,000 total sales. Chief executive Paul Dixon said the company was ideally placed to capitalise on manufacturers' rationalisation programmes creating larger territories as the total number of franchised dealerships shrinks towards the end of the century.