Motorline continued its expansion with a 38% growth in pre-tax profits to £5.8 million last year.

Turnover jumped 17% to £390.5 million at the car retailer, which has 36 dealerships across Kent and the South East, the South West and Wales.

Significantly, new businesses contributed just £3.8 million of the £56.8 million increase in sales after a series of acquisitions and new showroom openings in recent years.

Founded in 1972, the Canterbury-based car seller now employs more than 1,000 people and is run by brothers Glen, Gary and Thomas Obee, plus finance director Paul Betts. It had 500 employees in 2012.

Operating profit grew 31% to £7.6 million last year, according to the firm’s latest accounts, filed at Companies House.

In his report, chairman Glen Obee said: “The directors are implementing actions to continue profit improvement in the key areas of used car and service operations, whilst also continuing to invest in maintaining industry-leading facilities and enhancing customer experience and total satisfaction.”

In May, Motorline announced it had bought a site in Gillingham to build two dealerships for
Nissan and Peugeot, due for completion next year.

The investment is expected to cost £6.5 million.