NEARLY new vehicle supermarket business Car Group, which operates the Car Supermarket chain, has announced a 43% leap in six-monthly pre-tax profits from a 100% increase in turnover. The figures come as it launches the first of its new, branded sites called National Car Supermarket, with a development holding 1,000 cars, in Manchester.

It is the first of three 10-acre superstores the firm plans to open this year under the new brand, with the other two in the Nottingham/Sheffield area and one in London. It adds to six car supermarket sites Car Group already has throughout the country. For the six months to the end of February, the group's turnover was £136.1 million, up from £68.2 million for the same time last year. It sold 20,000 cars and kept within its 30-day stock turn-around target.