BRADFORD-based dealer and contract hire group JCT600 reports pre-tax profits of £6.35million for the year to December 31, 1998 (1997: £6.5million) on turnover up to £231million (1997: £217million). The slight shortfall was due to a one-off profit on disposal of a business in 1997 and the opening of two new purpose-built dealerships in September 1998 for Peugeot and Vauxhall franchises covering the entire Bradford region, in line with market trends towards larger franchise territories.

Brian Crowther, JCT600's group finance director, said: 'At the volume end of the market, the manufacturers are trying to help dealers make a profit and allocating bigger territories to fewer dealers.' This helped JCT600 to boost Vauxhall sales by 26% in Bradford with fleet sales up 52%, and expand Peugeot sales by 28%, largely on retail sales.

Contract hire firm JCT600 Contracts achieved pre-tax profits of £562,000 on turnover of £7million.