A TRIO of Ford's strongest dealerships have joined forces to form a new retail group which will be among the UK's top 50. Heartlands Ford of Birmingham, Atlantic Ford of Wilmslow and Brunel Ford of Bristol have effectively bought themselves out of Ford's dealer development programme with the help of former dealer development manager John Briggs. Briggs joins the managing directors of the three dealerships on the board of the new holding company - Quartic Motor Group.

All three dealerships will retain their trading names and dealership agreements with Ford, but will also look for expansion opportunities within their own areas. The venture has backing to the tune of £20 million from the National Westminster Bank and Ford Credit Europe. Anticipated group turnover this year is expected to be around £125 million with new car sales of around 7,500 - a significant proportion of which will be to fleet customers.