A MOTOR dealer group is looking forward to one of the most significant years in its history as it marks 50 years selling Volvo cars.

Mill Garages North East joined forces with the Swedish car maker in March 1965 and has since grown into the biggest Volvo dealer in the UK, selling close to 3,000 new Volvos a year from showrooms in Harrogate, Stockton, Newcastle and Sunderland.

The launch of the new XC90 sports utility vehicle in early summer and the start of a significant refurbishment programme across the Mill group are expected to contribute towards a year of substantial growth.

The company has also announced its financial results for 2014 which reveal turnover of £98m and profit before tax of £803,497, continuing a positive trend since managing director Bill Ward and chairman Bob Nicholson, led a management buyout of the business in 2008.

Mr Ward, who fronts the "Now is the time to choose Volvo" television adverts, said: "We are extremely proud of our 50 year partnership with Volvo and to have grown and developed in the region, where Mill has become synonymous with the Volvo brand."

He said the company expects to sell its complete allocation of the new XC90 this year following strong pre-orders after good reviews.

Simon Hewitson, finance director, said the new model would add to the company's encouraging first quarter, building on seven years of profitable growth.

He said: "The growing popularity of the Volvo brand, alongside our strong aftersales performance, gives us confidence to commit to a major showroom refurbishment programme.

"We will be investing £500,000 into our Stockton dealership later this year to bring a new retail experience to our customers, and are looking forward to further growth."

Volvo has undergone its own transformation since being sold by Ford to Chinese company Geely Automobile in 2010, with its new owner investing heavily in research and development, particularly in class-leading, efficient new engines. Nine all-new cars are planned in the next four years.

Mill Garages employs 176 people and was established in 1947 by George Rollings in Fulwell, Sunderland. Mr Ward, who has been in the motor industry since 1978, took over the reins in 1993.

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