8:28 am, September 11, 2026
Bosses at dealer group Howards have toasted ‘another successful year’ despite profits taking a small dip in 2025.
Accounts recently filed via Companies House show that Howard Garages Group Limited made a pre-tax profit of £4.23m in the 12 months to the end of last December.
While the figure was slightly down on 2024’s £4.38m directors still say that overall the period was ‘another year of growth’ for the business.
The accounts show that turnover rose 4% from £215.9m to £223.87m, aided in no small part by improved new and used car sales.
Throughout the year, the retailer sold 3,662 new vehicles, compared to 3,631 in 2024, with used car volumes rising from 6,461 units to 6,680.
It was also a period of significant change for the Howards dealer network, with the firm adding Leapmotor to its list of dealer partners.
The Somerset-based business also expanded over the border into Devon with the purchase of two vacant showrooms in Barnstaple.
At the end of the year, the firm was operating four showrooms apiece representing Hyundai and Peugeot, as well as three showrooms with both Citroen and Kia.
Elsewhere, the firm has two dealerships with each of Suzuki, Vauxhall and Leapmotor and as well as single sites with Honda, Nissan, Toyota and DS.
Reflecting on the year as a whole, director Christopher Lee paid tribute to the business’s workforce.
He said: ‘Our total vehicle sales volumes increased 2.5% year on year. Overall, our trading results continue to compare favourably with other motor trade dealership groups of our size.
‘2025 has proved to be another successful year for the group, as shown by the financial result detailed in the statement of comprehensive income.
‘Our staff are key to the underlying success of the business. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and committed team who have helped to deliver these results and provide the level of service that our customers expect from us.
‘We were pleased to hold our second in-person group conference in December 2025 with all members of staff present, during which the directors and senior managers gave a summary of 2025, outlined the business goals and strategies for 2026 and presented a number of staff recognition awards.
‘We have worked hard on staff retention in 2025 and are pleased to report that our staff turnover improved from 27% in 2024 to 22% in 2025.
‘The group remains committed to providing staff and customers with showrooms of the highest quality and, as a consequence, completed a substantial refit in Toyota Weston Super Mare during the year.
‘2025 has been another year of growth for the business, increasing both the number of franchises represented as well as expanding our area of operations.
‘During the year, we introduced Leapmotor to the Group, integrating the brand into existing Stellantis showrooms in both Taunton and Weston Super Mare.
‘Also during 2025 we expanded into Devon, purchasing two vacant showrooms in Barnstaple.
‘Building on our relationship with an existing brand, we renovated one of the showrooms to the latest corporate identity and opened as Kia Barnstaple in July.
‘The second showroom opened in January 2026 as a Used Car Centre and authorised repairer for two new brands to the group: BMW and Mini.’
What else is in the accounts?
Elsewhere, the documents show that staff numbers grew from an average of 298 employees to 320, with staff costs jumping from £14.4m to £15.85m.
At the same time, directors remuneration increased from £869,444 to £902,076.
The accounts also show that Howards invested heavily in its property and facilities during the year, with £4.26m spent on tangible fixed assets. The value of those assets subsequently increased from £16.8m to £20m.
Vehicle stock was also significantly higher, rising 11% from £27.57m to £30.61m at the end of the year. This included £10.26m of consigned vehicles, compared with £3.75m a year earlier.
Cash at bank and in hand increased from £7.76m to £8.57m, while net assets rose from £31m to £33.03m.
Overall, ordinary dividends totalled £1m and the directors did not recommend any further payment.