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Nissan must improve its workshop retention in order to boost dealer profitability above the national average.

Jim Wright, Nissan GB managing director, said average return on sales for Nissan dealers in the UK is 1% with an anticipated boost to 1.3% after the March-plate change. The national average for return on sales is 1.9%.

The biggest challenge for Nissan is its service retention. Wright admits Nissan needs to improve its position with aftersales, with the brand sitting below other Asian competitors in the UK.

He said: "If we can improve our retention rate with service customers we could increase average return on sales closer to 2%."

While Wright admits Nissan needs to give more focus to aftersales, he is happy with the new product which is coming through for dealers.

He is pleased with the reaction to the new Qashqai which has a healthy order bank up to June.

He said: "We were always optimistic with the new Qashqai following the success of the previous model, but we have been overwhelmed with the positive reaction the new model has had."

With no Qashqai +2 seven-seat in the range with the latest generation model, Wright said the new X-Trail would fill the gap for dealers.

The new Juke facelift (revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this week) will also boost interest and sales in the UK this year.

Dealers can also expect a C-segment hatch in 2015, rumoured to be resurrecting the Almera name which was was last seen on the model which was pulled from the UK market in 2007.