DEALERSHIP group Ryland has announced its financial performance is ahead of expectations for the year amid a strong level of demand from buyers. The announcement comes after a string of records in the new car sales market over the past few months, with fleets and private buyers swamping the market with demand.

Ahead of the announcement of the firm's six months results up to June this year, a statement from the firm said: 'The board expects the group's profit on ordinary activities, before taxation for the 12 months to the end of December 2002, will exceed existing expectations of £4.5 million.'

In April the firm revealed that sales volumes had reached record levels due to its focus on premium brands and fleet customers switching to cash for car programmes.