Lookers plc this week became the first victor in Renault and Nissan's radical shake-up of its dealer networks in the UK and elsewhere.

By next month Lookers will have five outlets to cover Nissan's dealer market area for Greater Manchester. The No15 AM100 group will account for around 3% of Nissan Motor GB's new car sales in the first full year of trading.

Fred Maguire, Lookers chief executive, said he was glad to expand his company's interests with Nissan, particularly within such a large and important market area.

Brian Carolin, Nissan Motor GB managing director, said: “Lookers will be a strong long-term partner within a key market. Developing our representation within large urban areas is a key objective for Nissan and this deal will give us a strong foothold in the Greater Manchester area.”

Mr Carolin reversed a previous Nissan decision to build its own network of sales sites, preferring to forge links with franchised dealers.