Daihatsu expects to open at least seven more outlets in 2005 as it continues a recruitment drive which saw it gain 40 dealerships last year.

The network now stands at 126, but Paul Hegarty, Daihatsu’s operations director, says dealerships in Edinburgh, Lancaster, West London, Slough, York, Leicester and Oxford will begin trading within the next 12 months.

“It was essential to establish a strong national network in time for the launch in March of our new Sirion supermini,” he adds. “This we have more than achieved. Now we can look forward to steady and sustainable growth.”

Daihatsu’s UK sales in 2004 totalled 4,141 units.