Lookers is reporting a strong trading performance and putting its success down to strong corporate sales and the Government’s scrappage scheme.

In an interim management statement for the period from July 1 to October 29, 2009, it states that its strong results mirror those delivered in the first half of the year, putting it “significantly” ahead of both budget and year-on-year results.

Despite new cars seeing a fall of 15% year-on-year to September, Lookers has revealed its like-for-like new car sales are 11% ahead of the market.

Used car volumes and margins have been maintained at high levels, which have offset the weaker performance in new car profits during the nine-month period.

In addition, its franchise aftersales is up 3% and gaining market share in a declining market, while its independent parts division has achieved record results.

The management statement comes in the wake of its interim results, where it announced an increase in pre-tax profits of £17.6 million, up 13.5%, for the first six months of 2009.

It had taken the decision to restructure its motor division after the decline in new car sales volumes and used car sales in the second half of 2008.

That resulted in the closure of 21 franchised operations, which according to the interim report put the business in a stronger position.

Peter Jones, chief executive, said: “We are pleased with the strong trading performance for the third quarter following the excellent result for the first half of the year which was delivered in a difficult market.”