North west dealer reports strong sales growth

Britain’s motor industry is taking a battering in the recession, even Toyota’s Deeside engine plant has not escaped the impact of the global economic downturn. But there is encouraging evidence of an up-turn in consumer confidence with Toyota sales soaring in the north west.

Lindop Toyota, a family firm which has sales centres in Queensferry and Wrexham close to the Deeside plant, has seen a surge in business in the first two months of the year.

Overall new car sales are up by almost a third (31 per cent) compared to the same time last year. And the market for used vehicles is strong, too, with 10 per cent more models being sold. Leading the way in the new car boom are two British-built models: the all-new Avensis saloon and tourer, and the Auris hatchback.

“It’s clear that customers have confidence in Toyota and British build quality,” says Toyota Lindop managing director Steve Hopewell. “Our success is all the more notable given that the car market in Chester and Wrexham as a whole has declined by almost 30 per cent during the same period.”

Toyota’s success in the north west is being repeated across the country. Official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that the company increased its year-on-year new car sales in February by 8.4 per cent, while the market as a whole was down by more than 20 per cent.