Gowan Auto's €30 million distribution centre officially opened

The new €30 million Gowan Auto Distribution Centre at City West in Dublin has been officially opened by the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donoghue and Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson, writes Brian Byrne.

The state of the art facility includes a new warehouse, office space, training academy and marketing showroom, with 130 people employed there.

Gowan Auto is a subsidiary of the family-owned Gowan Group and is the exclusive importer and distributor of Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Honda, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot in the Republic of Ireland.

Gowan Auto operates with 150 dealerships nationwide with the brands representing almost 10pc of new passenger car registrations, and almost 25pc of new light commercial vehicle registrations in Ireland in 2022.

Pictured above at the opening are Cristian Hurley (Shareholder), Gemma Maughan (Shareholder), Linda Jackson (Peugeot CEO), Minister Paschal Donohoe TD, Maria Smith Bourke (Shareholder). Middle rows: Alba Smith (Gowan Group Director / Shareholder), Cliona Mullen (Gowan Group Non-Executive Board Member), Michael Maughan (former Gowan Group Chairman), Fiona Thomas (Gowan Group Director / Shareholder). Back row: Frank Murphy (Gowan Group Finance Director), Alan Kilroy (Gowan Auto Finance Director), Liam FitzGerald (Gowan Group Chairman), Carmel Treacy (Gowan Group HR Director), Michael Dwan (Gowan Group Managing Director). 

Tesla opens country's second centre, in Cork

A new Tesla Centre has been opened in Cork to support the electric car brand's sales and marketing and aftercare in the south and west of the country, writes Brian Byrne.

The 17,000 sq ft facility at Fota Junction Retail Park will facilitate test drives for potential customers, and has space to service five Teslas at once.

It's the second Tesla Centre in the country after the one opened in 2017 in Sandyford, Dublin. 

Limerick's Dennehy Motors appointed Fiat, Jeep and Opel dealerships

Dennehy Motors in Limerick have been appointed dealers for the Stellantis brands Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep and Opel, writes Brian Byrne. The brands are imported and distributed here by Gowan Auto of City West in Dublin.

Dennehy Motors has been established for over 75 years and has gained a solid reputation for excellence in both the commercial vehicle market and the passenger car market. 

The dealership's extensive premises on the Dock Road in Limerick will now house a  new 11-car showroom and when building works are completed, the development will be the first site in Ireland to showcase the new Stellantis Multibrand House corporate identity.

Pictured are John Saunders, Managing Director of Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep Ireland; Rory Dennehy, Managing Director at Dennehy Motors; James Brooks, Managing Director of Opel Ireland; Alexis Moore, Head of Network Development for Opel and Head of Brands for Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep Ireland. 

Renault Ireland boss is new President of SIMI

Paddy Magee, Country Operations Director of Renault Group Ireland, was elected President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) at the organisation’s AGM, writes Brian Byrne. 

Mr Magee, who has worked for 25 years in the Irish motor industry, 20 of these with Renault, said his focus will be on continuing the work already undertaken in helping to position the Motor Industry as a leader and enabler of the green transition.

"The Motor Industry remains fully committed to working with Government to help achieve their Climate Action Targets," he said. "The industry is playing its part in the electrification process, and we need to build on the momentum already in the marketplace, with the right economic and taxation environment to support the uptake of new zero and low emissions vehicles.”

He called for no VRT/VAT increases in the upcoming Budget and wants the BIK’s recent reliefs extended for the foreseeable future. "Company vehicles will play a key role in helping to escalate the transition of electrification of the fleet, by increasing the number of new vehicles, we can also help supply and secure the used EVs market in the future.” 

Naas Renault dealer is EV Dealership of the Year 2023

Eithne Mallon O'Brien (Joe Mallon Motors), William Walsh (CEO, SEAI) and Aoife O'Grady (Head of Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland at the Department of Transport) at the ZEVI Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year Awards.

Car dealership Joe Mallon Motors of Naas, Co Kildare, has been named the National winner of the ZEVI Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year award at the SEAI Energy Show in the RDS, writes Trish Whelan.

The Renault dealership was selected by a panel of experts who assessed each dealership's performance across a range of criteria amid tough and challenging competition. Some 124 car dealerships from 24 counties participated in this year’s awards. 

Four regional finalists were previously announced at the Society of the Irish Motor Industry Awards in February for their demonstrated commitment to best-in-class customer experience. A panel of experts assessed each dealership's performance across a range of criteria, including showroom visibility of EVs, salesperson knowledge of EVs, sales approach, EV training, sales trends, and website presentation.

Zero Vehicles Emissions Ireland (ZEVI) is an office within the Department of Transport. 

Government asked to continue EV supports, 'at key time of growth'

Bodyshop of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Winner Owen Cullen Accident Repair Centre, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI and Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President.

A call for the Government to continue electric vehicle grant supports out to 2025 was made at last week's announcement of the SIMI Motor Industry Awards 2023, writes Brian Byrne.

Deputy President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry Paddy Magee also asked that consideration be given to halting the reduction of Benefit in Kind reliefs for a few more years. He said premature reduction of supports could risk stalling sales at 'a key time of growth' in the EV market. He said that changing consumer behaviour to accept a new vehicle technology in such a short period of time is unprecedented, and this requires incentives, supports and education.

"A strong new EV car market will also create an active used EV market, providing the opportunity for a greater cohort of motorists to go electric," he added, adding that the industry recognises that supports cannot remain in place indefinitely.

The Awards in seven categories were presented on the evening by Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General and Derek Kavanagh, Head of Motor Franchise Sales of Bank of Ireland Finance. The winners were Bodyshop of the Year: Accident Repair Centre (ARC); Commercial Vehicle Operation of the Year: Rathcoole Commercial; Vehicle Recovery Operator of the Year: James Foy Auto Services; Independent Sales Operation of the year: AutoXpress; Independent Aftersales Operation of the year: AutoAssure; Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year: Blackstone Motors; and Franchise Sales Operation of the Year: MSL Cork.

Commercial Vehicle Operation of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Winner Paul Cooke Rathcoole Commercial, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI and Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President.

Vehicle Recovery Operator of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Winner James and Brian Foy James Foy Auto Service, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI and Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President.

Independent Sales Operation of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Winner Ger Cremins and Eddie Adomiaitis AutoXpress, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI and Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President.

Independent Aftersales Operation of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Winner Eoin McGuinness Auto Assure Ltd, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI and Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President.

Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President, Winner Noel Stewart and Donal Waters Blackstone Motors, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI.

Franchise Sales Operation of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Winner Dermot O'Hara MSL Cork, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI and Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President.

The Society welcomed the establishment of the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland  (ZEVI) organisation, whose Dealership of the Year regional awards, aimed at rewarding excellence in the promotion and sale of electric vehicles (EV) in Ireland. The winners were Kearys BMW & Mini Cork (Munster); Joe Mallon Motors Kildare (Leinster); JJ Burke Car Sales Mayo (Connacht); and McGinley Motors Donegal (Ulster). (ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Kearys BMW & Mini Cork (Munster) were unavailable on the night to collect their award.)

ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Ulster Winner: Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President, Winner Noel McCormick McGinley Motors Donegal, Aoife O'Grady Head of ZEVI and Declan Meally Director of Business Public Sector and Transport at SEAI.

ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Connacht Winner: Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President, Winner Pauline Burke JJ Burke Car Sales Mayo, Aoife O'Grady Head of ZEVI and Declan Meally Director of Business Public Sector and Transport at SEAI.

ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Leinster Winner: Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President, Winner Anthony, Eithne and Philip Mallon of Joe Mallon Motors Kildare, Aoife O'Grady Head of ZEVI and Declan Meally Director of Business Public Sector and Transport at SEAI.

MDL appointed distributor for China's largest passenger EV maker

A compact SUV from Chinese carmaker BYD will be the next electric car from that country to be sold in Ireland, following a deal that appoints Motor Distributors Limited as the representative of the brand in this country, writes Brian Byrne.

It will be the third Chinese company with a position in Ireland, after MG and the Ora companies — the latter which had its Funky Cat launch earlier this week.

The arrival of the BYD Atto-3 compact SUV will be the first in a range of EVs from the brand, a statement from MDL says. The car will have a WLTP-rated range of 420km and an energy consumption of 15.5kWh/100km.

The new franchise will mean an extra 150 jobs at MDL, bringing the total employment to around 450 at the importer, currently distributors of Mercedes-Benz here.

The agreement was signed at BYD global headquarters in Shenzhen, China in the presence of MDL chief executive, Paddy Finnegan.  

New SIMI President

The new President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry is Antonia Hendron, Managing Director of M50 Truck & Van Centre, Dublin.

Ms Hendron was elected to the position at SIMI's AGM last week, held in Killashee House Hotel in Kildare.

In her inauguration speech she said she wanted to help the motor industry to become a leader and enabler of the green transition.

She said 'consumer confidence is key' to making this transition and would require the Government to continue VRT and grant support for electric vehicles until at least 2025. 

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Kearys of Midleton open dedicated Renault Selection area

The Kearys of Midleton Renault Selection team.

Kearys of Midleton recently completed a major site transformation with the completion of Munster’s first dedicated Renault Selection used car showroom.

Renault Selection cars come with a full certified vehicle history check with every used car prepared to a unique “Buy Today – Drive Today” standard. This ensures customers receive only the highest-quality product, and when a customer purchases a used car, it’s ready to go to its new home the same day.

The new Renault Selection showroom is located adjacent to Kearys Renault showroom on the Cork Road, Midleton and is the latest development for the dealership which has just completed the new Renault Store brand identity. The Renault Store concept brings a more dynamic, innovative, and human aspect to the car-buying platform, characterised by a unique presentation of the brand and its products and services. The dealership is equipped with the latest instore digital technology, showcases the latest Renault and Dacia models, and is designed to deliver an unrivalled and memorable customer experience.

The new Renault Selection area at Kearys of Midleton will showcase up to 150 quality used Renault and Dacia vehicles. Each used vehicle is prepared to the highest standards, comes with a minimum 2-year warranty and two years of roadside assistance. Brian Quinlan, Renault Selection Manager with Renault Ireland saidthe used car programme has been a fantastic success since its launch four years ago. "It is great to see Kearys of Midleton move to the next stage of commitment to the Renault brand by investing in a dedicated sales area offering our customers a special experience in their used car purchase."

Shane Cawley, Sales Manager, Kearys Renault Midleton, said the business is delighted to showcase the best range in new and used Renault and Dacia cars in East Cork. "We have received great feedback from customers to date, particularly regarding the Renault Selection used car programme and designated area”.

Customers can call or email to make a one-to-one appointment for a showroom visit or test-drive or continue to use ‘Click & Collect’ service. Robust hygiene and safety measures are in place in line with health and safety guidelines.

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Nissan taking on 40 more apprentices

Nissan is hiring 40 apprentices who will be trained over a 4-year period in Nissan dealerships around the country, writes Brian Byrne.

Applications are now being accepted online for the Automotive Technician apprenticeship, with a special emphasis on technology for connected, autonomous and electric cars.

The top scoring graduate will receive a scholarship to pursue a degree in automotive engineering at a third-level institute of their choice as well as a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year.

Apprentices will complete their normal block release apprenticeship with Solas, and will continue their education to qualify as Nissan Master Technicians.

Applicants should have completed the Leaving Certificate and Nissan is especially interested in receiving applications from first and second year engineering students who may be reconsidering their college choice or students that have recently completed a FETAC course who are interested in pursuing a career as a Master Technician within the motor industry.

The closing date for applications, which should be made at nissan.ie, is Friday, 25 November 2016.

The first phase of this scheme was announced in January 2015, when Nissan Ireland MD James McCarthy (pictured above with Declan Allen of DIT when making the initial announcement) said it would add 100 new jobs over four years.

Next MD of Ford Ireland is named

A Galway man who has worked with Ford since his graduation has been named as the next Managing Director of Ford Ireland.

Ciarán McMahon joined the company as a graduate trainee in 1987, occupying a variety of positions both in Ireland and abroad, most recently as National Sales Director based in Cork. He replaces Eddie Murphy, who has taken the decision to retire at the end of the year, having completed 35 years’ service with Ford, the last 14 as Chairman and Managing Director.

After joining Ford Credit in 1987, Ciarán McMahon moved to the company’s Cork headquarters in 1999, working in aftersales, fleet and rental, before taking up a position with Ford of Europe’s pricing team in the UK.

In 2004, Mr McMahon moved to Ford of Europe headquarters in Cologne where he was responsible for European sales planning and volume analysis, before returning to Ireland as Fleet and Dealer Operations manager.

In 2012, he took up the position of Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager and was quickly promoted to the role of Marketing Manager and subsequently Marketing Director for both cars and commercial vehicles. In June 2014, he was appointed Sales Director.

Born in Salthill, Galway, Mr McMahon is a keen golfer and supporter of Irish soccer, who has coached under-age teams in Cork for the past number of years. He is married to Berni and the couple have three children – Chloe (21), Ross (18) and Brona (10).

Ireland SEAT boss moves to UK Audi

Cian O'Brien, currently director of the SEAT brand in Ireland, is to join Audi UK as its new Head of Sales Operations on 1st September. The 36-year-old native of Cork moves to this new Milton Keynes-based role, having overseen a period of significant success in which the SEAT business was Ireland's fastest-growing car brand in 2013.

In a varied career spanning 15 years he has also held the position of Aftersales Manager and Fleet & Used Car Manager for Audi Ireland. In addition, he brings with him extensive retail automotive experience having worked with Renault, Lexus, Audi and Nissan in a variety of management positions.

Andre Konsbruck, Director of Audi UK, said Cian will bring 'a real depth and breadth of experience' to the UK role. "We feel he is the right person to continue to lead our ambitious sales plans in which Audi aims to remain the UK's number one premium brand, with continued focus on customer satisfaction and profitability."

Fort Motor Group and Horgan PR & Marketing capture Fox award

Fort Motor Group in Dublin was the only automotive retailer to claim a Gold award at the An Post Smart Marketing Awards in the Mansion House in Dublin recently, writes Trish Whelan.

Fort and its agency Horgan PR & Marketing took the ‘Fox’ trophy for their campaign in launching the Ford Transit Connect to local businesses in the South Dublin area.

Fort Motors edged out Bryan S Ryan and Snap Print in the category Smartest Use of Admailer.ie, an online tool which allows easy and cost-effective targeting of homes and businesses within a geographic area.

Cyril Molloy of Fort Motor Group said “We strive to set high standards of professionalism in all aspects of our business, including our marketing, and it’s nice when the effort you invest in gets recognised in this manner.”

A family business founded by Chairman Cyril Molloy, Fort Motors is 55 years in business this year. Horgan PR & Marketing was recently established by Conor Horgan (www.horganpr.ie).

Conor Horgan and Cyril Molloy are pictured above with the very distinctive ‘Fox’ award.

Car sales fall 73% in June

New statistics from Motorcheck.ie show that the new car industry has suffered an unprecedented drop in sales of 73% for June 2013 when compared with June 2012.

This devastating result comes right before the introduction of the new 132 number plate bringing the total number of new cars registered for 2013 up to 52,978. That's 20% down on the 2012 total of 66,334 for the same period.

Commenting on the latest statistics Managing Director Shane Teskey said "The introduction of the 132 number plate from July 1st may have put some buyers off registering a car in June. The next week or so will be a very important period for an industry that's already in crisis".

Volkswagen maintain the top spot with 13% of sales, followed closely by Toyota with 11% and Ford at 10%.

The Volkswagen Golf remains Ireland's most popular model this year with 2,673 (5.1% of the total market) units sold. The Nissan Qashqai is in second place with 2,397 (4.5%) units registered whilst the Ford Focus takes third position with 1,938 (3.7%) registrations.

Diesel engines remain popular with 73% of the total. Six out of ten new cars registered were in Band A.

However it isn't all bad news for the exchequer as the number of imported second hand cars has grown by 41% in June and now totals 24,826 - an increase of 22% for the year to date.

The most popular car to be imported second hand is the Ford Focus with 2,039 registrations followed by the Audi A4 (1,461) and the Volkswagen Passat (1,361).

Volkswagen Bank funds €2bn in Ireland

Motorists, dealerships, fundedVolkswagen Bank has provided some €500m in loans to Irish motorists over the last five years.

In a commentary noting the performance of the Bank since it opened for business here, the company says it also provided €1.5bn in financing to dealerships.

€125m of the consumer loans were provided in 2012, and the Bank now finances 25 percent of all car loans across the brands in Volkswagen Group Ireland.

'Protect green shoots' call from motor trade boss

Public 'need to be given confidence to spend'People are starting to see the bottom of the recession, a leading motor industry boss says, but there'll be no growth until the Government gives them confidence to spend, writes Brian Byrne.

Paddy Murphy, MD of Advance Pitstop, says there are 'green shoots' visible. "But we don't need another frost that that will kill them. The Goovernment is going to have to put fertiliser on the shoots, instead of taking off the frost cover."

Murphy, formerly general manager of Continental Ireland and now heading up the company's main retail outlet here, says people will spend the money they should do on such matters of car maintenance and replacement, 'if they know that they can save to replace that money without having it taken off them in more taxes'.

"At this moment, the Government is focused on one area, cutting costs. There are a load of businesses out there who will tell you that you can't grow from cuts. You can restructure, but eventually you've got to invest to grow."

The Advance Pitstop boss says bluntly that it's a lesson 'the Government hasn't learned yet'.

Rosemary gets Lifetime Achievement Award

Former rally ace and renowned driving instructor Rosemary Smith was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Committee of the Institute of the Motor Industry Leinster Members Association at their Awards Dinner 2013 held in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel in Dublin last Thursday evening, writes Trish Whelan.

The Award was presented to Rosemary by Richard Warbrick, Managing Director of Goodyear Dunlop on behalf of the IMI Leinster Members Association.

Also present at the Awards Dinner was Steve Nash, the new CEO of The Institute of the Motor Industry UK, who flew in especially for the occasion.

Veteran motor sport interviewer and presenter Michael O'Carroll interviewed Rosemary on her various achievements on the night.

Previous recipients of this special award were Cyril McHugh, former CEO of SIMI, and Enda Fagan, former lecturer of DIT Bolton Street and mentor of the National Apprenticeship Competition and World Skills Olympics.

SIMI President Alan Lyons spoke of the long association between the SIMI and the IMI and he congratulated Rosemary on her achievement and the IMI Leinster Members Association for acknowledging the talents and exceptionally high level of success in choosing the recipients of their awards.

Pictured are Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry UK; Robert Dowds TD; Rosemary Smith; Richard Warbrick of Goodyear Dunlop; and David O'Neill, of the IMI Leinster Members Association Ireland.

We also picture Rosemary, having being presented with her award, and Richard Warbrick; as well as a photo of her Hillman Imp which is 50 years old this year.

New SEAT Ireland boss

SEAT Ireland has announced the appointment of Cian O’Brien as its new Director.

A Corkman, he has worked with brands such as Renault, Lexus, BMW, Audi and  SEAT at retail level. He joins SEAT Ireland from Audi Ireland where he was General Manager for Aftersales. He takes over from Adam Chamberlain who will take up a new position in the UK.

In August SEAT Ireland secured a €20 million investment from parent company SEAT SA and aims to increase its market share in Ireland to 3.5% by 2015. The brand intends to grow its network from 22 to 26 by 2015.

Fitzpatricks goes Mercedes-Benz

Motor dealers Fitzpatricks of Kildare have been appointed Mercedes-Benz dealers.

The company was established in 1951 and now has a substantial motor retailing organisations in Ireland with dealerships situated in Kildare, Naas, Carlow and Tullamore. Founded by Jimmy Fitzpatrick, the group is now managed by his nephew, managing director Andy Fitzpatrick.

Pictured at the signing of their dealer agreement are Stephen Byrne, chief executive, Mercedes-Benz in Ireland; Andy Fitzpatrick, managing director, and Sean Lyons, chief executive, Fitzpatrick Garage Group; and Ciaran Allen, sales manager Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.

'Look on positives' call to motor trade

Despite the difficulties facing the motor trade in the current recession, there was a triple call yesterday for looking on the 'positives' in the business, writes Trish Whelan.

They came at the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2013 Awards, held in the Convention Centre Dublin, attended by almost 200 representatives of importers and distributors, and Ireland's motoring press.

Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres Ireland, sponsors of the Awards, said that one positive in the recession was the high level of personal savings in the country. Though that money is not being circulated in the current climate, it will be 'unlocked' at some point, and cars will be on the buying list of those who decide it is time to spend.

Gerry Murphy, chairman of the Irish Motoring Writers Association who organise and vote in the Awards, said there had been significant losses in the motor trade here, but that carmakers and their dealers 'are putting their best foot forward' with better value for their customers.

"You in the trade deserve support," he said, adding a warning that the Government must realise that as a 'cash cow' for the State in terms of taxation revenue, the business will disappear if it is 'not fed and nourished' by incentives.

Michael Nugent of BMW Ireland, accepting the main award of Continental Irish Car of the Year 2013 in respect of the BMW 3 Series, also said it was time to 'focus on the positive' going forward in Ireland. He said he 'hadn't expected the award' but it reflected the fact that BMW can now offer such cars 'in the mainstream'.