The owner of an independent motor dealership in Bradford is looking to spread his wings with a second outlet.

And a West Yorkshire prestige car finance specialist has achieved another recording-breaking year, with deals totalling £31.3 million in 2010.

Clive Brook, who launched Clive Brook Volvo on Canal Road three years ago and saved the franchise from proposed closure by the previous operators, revealed he was in talks with a leading motor manufacturer about expanding into a second franchise in West Yorkshire.

He is looking to build on the success of the Volvo dealership, which has achieved a £50 million turnover since he took it over.

Mr Brook said: “Our success has convinced me that perhaps now is the time to look to expand with another franchise.

“I’m not in a hurry but have been exploring the possibilities with another manufacturer with a view to establishing a new dealership in the West Yorkshire area. It’s too early to go into details, but it’s a move that I’m actively considering.”

In the past three years Clive Brook Volvo has sold 1,100 new and 900 used cars and doubled staff numbers to 31, including retaining 75 per cent of the original workforce.

Mr Brook said demand for Volvos remained strong, with freezing weather boosting sales of four wheel drive vehicles. The £35,000 XC90 model accounted for around 25 per cent of sales and was especially popular with women drivers.

He said: “It’s an exciting time for Volvo with the launch of new models.

“The range of cars provides quality and prestige models, which are stylish without being flashy, which is an advantage in the current economic climate and I’d expect them to compete strongly over the next few years.”

Meanwhile, Ilkley-based Bridford Financial Solutions increased funding by more than 20 per cent from £25 million in 2009.

The company said the increase was due to it being able to offer low rates and the launch of the motor industry’s first variable rate calculator for car dealers.

Bridford saw soaring demand for finance following the launch of cars such as the Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes SLS Gullwing. Its customers include company directors, Premiership footballers and multi-millionaires.

Bridford owner Tim Marlow said: “Consumer spending has generally slowed over the last couple of years and has hit the automotive industry, but we specialise in funding the most prestige vehicles that typically cost more than £25,000 and enjoyed 20 per cent growth last year.

“We’ve started 2011 exceptionally well with funding solutions for three cars costing £855,000 and with lending rates continuing to be very low, customers are really taking advantage of this to get into dream cars like Ferraris, Bentleys and Aston Martins.

“We are now working on a number of new initiatives which we hope will see the business improve significantly in the coming year.”