BRITAIN'S largest Ford dealership group, Dagenham Motors, has reported record interim results for the six months to June 30 despite the 1998 slide in used car values. The company, which has 10 dealerships, saw pre-tax profits increase 7.4% to £3.04 million (1997: £2.83 million) on turnover up 11.6% to £162 million (1997: £145.23 million) largely as a result of increases in new car sales.

Dagenham said the bulk of the rise in new car sales went into the retail sector which it attributed to the combination of 'fine products' and competitive new car offers. The company said that demand for used cars at the right price remained strong.

The group's sales of new commercial vehicles remained at 1,356 units with reduced sales within the commercial vehicle division being offset by increased sales of commercial vehicles from the car division. Used commercial vehicle sales fell 17.8% to 198 units. Contributions from the accident repair division forged ahead with a 25% increase in sales volume producing a 50% increase in profit.