EDMONTON, Alberta -

Used-vehicle performance numbers brought mixed results for AutoCanada during the first quarter.

The company saw slight overall used sales and revenue increases, but pre-owned same-store numbers showed a bit of a different story. Used retail vehicles sold came in at 2,187 for Q1, up slightly from the 2,172 pre-owned units sold in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Used-vehicle revenue was up slightly, as well, coming in at $62.7 million, up from $57.3 million in  Q4 2012.

Same-store revenue from used sales experienced a 2-percent increase year-over-year, coming in at $60.3 million, up from $59.1 million during the same period of 2012.

Interestingly, though revenue rose slightly, same-store used vehicles sold hit a double-digit decline of 11.7 percent. Same store used vehicles sold came in at 2,096, down from 2,374 sold during Q1 2012.

Though the results from used sales were mixed and relatively flat, overall, the company saw significant increases in revenue.

Revenue for Q1 2013 increased 14.4 percent or $35.8 million to $284.3 million

And same-store revenue increased by 12.9 percent. 

In commenting on the financial results, Pat Priestner, chief executive officer of AutoCanada Inc. stated that, "The operating results for the first quarter of 2013 were exceptionally strong with record first quarter revenues, gross profit, earnings and EBITDA.  Our dealerships increased their same store new vehicle retail sales by 18.3 percent over the first quarter of the prior year, which led to significant increases in gross profit for our new vehicle and finance and insurance departments.We give credit to the strength of our dealership teams for significantly exceeding the market and our own expectations.

"Our dealer partners are some of the best auto retailers in the country, and we are very proud of their achievement," he continued.

Priestner also touched on recent growth within the company, stating that AutoCanada plans to add an additional six to nine dealerships to its group over the next two years.

"We are very pleased with the recent additions of Grande Prairie Volkswagen, Peter Baljet Chevrolet Buick GMC, as well as the recently announced acquisition of St. James Audi and St. James Volkswagen located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a new market for our group,” Priestner said.

"As for the future, it appears to management that the Canadian dealership succession issue, which management previously thought would be in the two- to five-year range, is beginning to materialize, and as such management believes that it is well positioned to play the role that it has long sought as a consolidator and looks to add an additional six to nine dealerships over the coming 24 months."

Sarah Rubenoff can be reached at srubenoff@autoremarketing.com. Continue the conversation with Auto Remarketing Canada on LinkedIn and Twitter.