John Clark Motor Group has reported £910.3m turnover for 2021, up from £721.8m in 2020.
The family-owned automotive business, with sites across north, east and central Scotland, also posted earnings before tax of £32.55m - more than doubling from £15.35m the year before, while operating profit before interest rose to £8.8m to £26.36m year-on-year.
The full-year accounts show that this growth was driven by new vehicle sales volumes rising 7.2% to 12,065 - outperforming the UK market, which saw growth of only 1%. Used vehicle sales volumes also grew by 33.4% to 20,831 units.
Service revenue grew by 18.7%, with parts up by a further 21.7%, albeit against the backdrop of Covid-related closures in 2020.
Overall gross margins saw significant growth, which was in part driven by the higher used vehicle sales volumes and "unprecedented market conditions".
Group managing director Chris Clark commented: “I am immensely proud of what our teams have achieved in 2021 - they have rebounded from the 2020 challenges and delivered our most successful results in our long 43-year history.
“While I acknowledge that aspects of the market dynamics were very much on our side, I know that our teams worked tirelessly to come together as they harnessed their collective experience and channelled their abilities to make the very most of every opportunity.”
Staff headcount saw a stable full year average of 1,269 - the number for 2020 was 1,272 - while money was spent on staff training, including in-house management development activities and an expanded apprenticeship program.
Investment in operations also continued during 2021, predominantly in Dundee, which saw the opening of a new BMW facility, a new Volvo dealership and a refurbished MINI site.
This year's investment plans include a full refurbishment at the group's Land Rover business in Edinburgh, alongside a new Volvo facility at Newbridge.
Further plans for sites in Edinburgh, Stirling, Fife and Dundee are being considered by the group's directors, alongside acquisition opportunities.
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