Lookers chief Andy Bruce: ‘The market has more growth in it’

The next couple of years is a crucial period for Lookers as it considers further acquisitions, prepares for a roll-out of a new website and looks to achieve an individual sale and service for each of its customers, while at the same time contemplating a much-changed retail landscape in the UK, acknowledging the radical changes in customer expectations. AM editor Jeremy Bennett speaks to chief executive Andy Bruce and managing director Nigel McMinn.

Jeremy Bennett: At what figure will the new car market end 2014?

Andy Bruce: The forecast is 2.45 million units, but it feels like it’ll be a little more than that. It would be good if it reached 2.5m, in a symbolic sign of success. There are a lot of harbingers of doom, saying it’s topped out, or that pre-registration activity is forcing the market or in some way the positivity isn’t real. But we think the market has got more growth in it.