Speaking at the inaugural Irish Motor Industry Awards, he also welcomed the 150 apprentice vacancies as 'something we haven't seen' for a long time in the industry.
He expressed the thanks of the industry for the Government Scrappage Scheme which 'lifted' business. "We are certainly one of few industries in the country who have seen such a jump in employment and we expect that trend to continue to the end of the year," he said. "From speaking to dealers around the country there is a renewed sense of excitement and positivity back in the trade.”
The improvement in employment is against the background of an estimated 6,000 job losses in 2008/2009. The number employed at the end of June was 34,700.
The winners of the 2010 SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards in association with Castrol Professional are
Retail Operation of the Year: Cunningham Higgins, Galway
Aftersales Operation of the Year: Joe Duffy Motors, Dublin
Innovation of the Year: Merlin Car Auctions
Unsung Hero of the Year: The Drogheda SIMI Members
Franchise Dealer of the Year: Cavanaghs of Charleville
