MANCHESTER-based dealership group Quicks has told the City it expects this year's results to be 'significantly' below the board's previous expectations following third quarter trading both below expectations and last year's pre-tax profits of £3.4 million.

Shares fell almost 20% as a result of the statement, with the company blaming the impact of the fuel crisis and the benefit of Ford's new car pricing strategy announced last month not feeding through until next year. Ford accounts for more than 60% of the company's new car sales.