DEALERSHIP group Lookers returned pre-tax profits of £6.4 million last year compared with £5.3 million in 1998, despite slow new car sales.

The company, which operates 20 different franchises from 60 sites in the UK mainland and Northern Ireland, increased its new car sales volume by 6.4% in 1999 while the market average was 2.2% down. Lookers is poised to launch a specialised internet service designed to allow fleets to choose and buy specific models online.