CAR dealer Lookers has acquired the Toyota and Daihatsu business of Rylands in Belfast for £3.3 million. Lookers bought the firm through its long-established Northern Irish motor dealer Charles Hurst. Lookers chairman Craig McKinney said: 'We are delighted to be able to expand our operations in Northern Ireland with marques which we currently do not represent.'

Lookers recorded pre-tax profits up from £8.1 million to a record £9 million for last year. Turnover was up from £513.4 million to £618.4 million for the year to September 30, 1997. The Rylands operation reported profits before tax of £267,000 in the year to December 31, 1997.