Luxury car traders Skylark Automanage-ment and V12 Specialist Cars have entered into a joint venture to conquer new markets.

The plan is to offer a wider range of prestigious marques while increasing standards of customer care and satisfaction.

Justin Whitson, director of Skylark, and Afsal Khan, V12 owner, both promise big things from the venture.

Mr Whitson said: "To be successful in business you need to be successful at creating friends and solid partnerships.

"The synergy between Skylark Automanagement and V12 Specialist Cars was evident after one meeting and the enthusiasm Mr Khan displayed in his passion for business was similar to mine.

"From his experience of the motor industry, Mr Khan knows that the automanagement sector can be stagnant with very little competition. "This allows companies to offer the bare essentials in product and service."

The duo plan to merge the sales and operational aspects of both companies under one roof, the home of V12 in Petergate, Bradford city centre.

They also hope to develop purpose-built offices and a showroom designed around the concept of a trade show.

Mr Khan said: "The partnership between Justin and myself will not only ensure that both sides of our businesses flourish, but that with our mass of creativity and business acumen we can make this a truly unique company in its field for both employees and customers. This is the beginning of something very special."

Staffing levels are set to increase by 40 per cent over the next two years, with the hope of bringing the company to the stock market by the end of 2003.