Garage Trader Vol 5 ROI

GARAGE IRELAND Vol 5 2018

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ANDY WALTERS

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Our high-tech precision components & systems are originally fitted by all of the leading vehicle manufacturers, but Schaeffler is about more than just OE car parts. We are also the “Repair Experts”, delivering the same parts to workshops around the world.

As well as a technical training fleet, manned by experts like Andy, we also offer a dedicated online workshop portal. REPXPERT has everything you need to know about LuK, INA and FAG products, tools and technology plus an up-to-the-minute TecDoc catalogue, free vehicle manufacturer installation instructions, specifications, labour times and lots more.

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2- GARAGETRADER

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GARAGE IRELAND GARAGE IRELAND FREE EXPERT Vol 5 2018

Vol 5 2018

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ANDY WALTERS

REPXPERT Technical Trainer

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Our high-tech precision components & systems are originally fitted by all of the leading vehicle manufacturers, but Schaeffler is about more than just OE car parts. We are also the “Repair Experts”, delivering the same parts to workshops around the world.

As well as a technical training fleet, manned by experts like Andy, we also offer a dedicated online workshop portal. REPXPERT has everything you need to know about LuK, INA and FAG products, tools and technology plus an up-to-the-minute TecDoc catalogue, free vehicle manufacturer installation instructions, specifications, labour times and lots more.

Best of all, registration is free at www.repxpert.co.uk

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Our high-tech precision components & systems are originally fitted by all of the leading vehicle manufacturers, but Schaeffler is about more than just OE car parts. We are also the “Repair Experts”, delivering the same parts to workshops around the world.

YOUR PROFILE

ENCASH POINTS

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As well as a technical training fleet, manned by experts like Andy, we also offer a dedicated online workshop portal. REPXPERT has everything you need to know about LuK, INA and FAG products, tools and technology plus an up-to-the-minute TecDoc catalogue, free vehicle manufacturer installation instructions, specifications, labour times and lots more.

News

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2018 Vol 5 ROI

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GARAGE IRELAND TO ADVERTISE IN THE MAGAZINE CALL: (028) 9278 0099 REGARDING EDITORIAL CALL: (028) 9278 0101 General Manager Gladys Greer gladysgreer@greerpublications.com

Editor

Pat Burns patburns@greerpublications.com Publishers James & Gladys Greer Designed by Shaun Byrne, Design Stics Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Lisburn, BT28 2GN Tel: 028 9278 0108

Greer Publications © 2018. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Greer Publications.

6 Suzuki hold their Dealer of the Year awards and open a new dealership in Kildare 10 Origo Autoparts joins J&S Automotive 32 Nulife Engineering offers a new bead blasting service to the motor trade

People 12 CD Group has announced the appointment of Neil Davis as a Non-Executive Director. Neil has over 20 years’ experience in the automotive aftermarket, including 11 years as Managing Director of FPS and of the Lookers Parts Division.

29 REPXPERT Brand Ambassador, Andy Savva, has been speaking candidly about his new role.

30 Photos from the Autotrade Expo in Dublin 34 Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new car registrations for the year 2018 finished, at 125,557, 4.4% down on 2017. New Light Commercial Vehicle registrations (LCV) finished at 25,561, recording an increase of 5.55% for the year in 2018, while New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) 2,590 saw a slight decrease of 0.5% over the 12 months compared to 2017.

38 We talk to Aliya Lam, the new Marketing Manager for Mahle in Ireland.

Special Features 9 Yuasa delivers special training with Somora 19 SKF steering and suspension parts, plus Pemco Oils and Lubricants join the Serfac range.

20 Colin Adams Motorparts celebrates 20 years in business

COMMENT

The Motor Industry has been suffering from the impact of Brexit since 2016 with new car sales down by 15% over the last 2 years, while the registration of imported used cars is up by 111% over the same period. The SIMI and the industry is extremely worried at the potential for a devastating impact postBrexit, similar in scale to the collapse of 2009 which resulted in the Market contracting to less than 50% of its current total. This saw 200 companies ceasing to trade, more than 10,000 people losing their jobs and State revenues falling by almost €1Billion.

The current fall in the new car market has resulted from an average Euro to Sterling value of 88p, but with a No-Deal Brexit from March 29th we may well see Sterling at parity or even below. That could see a massive rise in imports and cause dealers even more damage…

While SIMI is not trying to create barriers to trade, it is important to recognise that the level of used imports is unnaturally high and is having an impact on widening the cost to trade-up to new or newer cars.

-Pat Burns, Editor

Follow us on Garage Trader Magazine check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

GARAGETRADER - 5

GT GT

NEWS

SUZUKI DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARDS were presented with the Aftersales Dealer of the Year and the Best Aftersales Customer Experience prizes.

All awards were presented by Suzuki GB’s Managing Director, Nobuo Suyama.

Dale Wyatt, Director of Automobile at Suzuki GB PLC, said: “We

would like to congratulate our worthy award winners on their achievements. These dealers are just two examples of the continued dedication and hard work that we have seen across our entire network. This is so as to ensure that customers receive the very highest level of retail sales professionalism, which is also equalled in the delivery of their service and workmanship. We are proud that these businesses are a part of our brand, and we look forward to enjoying further success with them as we go into the new year.”

Suzuki GB’s Managing Director, Nobuo Suyama (Managing Director, Suzuki GB) with Des and Carmel Cassidy (Cassidy Motors).

S

uzuki Ireland has announced the winners of this year’s Dealer of the Year awards.

The recipients of the 2018 trophies were announced at a recent ceremony during the vehicle manufacturer’s annual dealer conference at Adare Manor in County Limerick which brought together representatives from the country’s 22 Suzuki dealerships.

Mongey Plunkett Motors from

North Road in Finglas, Dublin, collected the Sales Dealer of the Year accolade thanks to their team’s exceptional retail performance during the past 12 months. Cassidy Motors, a family-run business in County Mayo, based in both Charlestown, and more recently in Ballina, received two trophies. They

Photo 1 (from left to right): Suzuki GB’s Managing Director, Nobuo Suyama (Managing Director, Suzuki GB) with Paul Mongey (Mongey Plunkett Motors).

NEW SUZUKI DEALER IN KILDARE

S

uzuki Ireland is pleased to welcome P.G. Duffy & Sons in Newbridge, County Kildare, to its dealer network.

The appointment of the latest franchise brings the total number of showrooms representing the brand in the country to 23.

The modern 100 square-metre dealership is operated by a family-owned business which has over 60 years’ experience in the motor trade. On display in the recently refurbished fourcar showroom is the full Suzuki model range, spanning the Celerio city car through to the upgraded 2019 model year Vitara compact SUV. Visitors also have access to a seating area to enjoy complementary refreshments and free Wi-Fi, whilst they can equally view products from Suzuki’s accessory catalogue to further

6- GARAGETRADER

personalise their vehicle.

Furthermore, P.G. Duffy & Sons provides customers with servicing and repair facilities which adhere to the Suzuki Service Promise.

They will benefit from, amongst other advantages, pricing that is transparent, the use of genuine parts during any maintenance or repair work, and a complementary health check.

Dale Wyatt, Director of Automobile at Suzuki GB PLC, said: “P.G. Duffy & Sons is one of the region’s highly-respected family-run businesses, renowned for its loyal and repeat customers. Therefore, as a new franchise, they can hit the ground running and build the presence of the Suzuki brand and promote the merits of our product range to a readily-available target audience. We look forward to

working closely with P.G. Duffy & Sons during what is set to be an exciting few months ahead.”

Pat Duffy, Dealer Principal of P.G. Duffy & Sons, added: “We are delighted to be a part of the Suzuki dealer network, and with a product range which offers style, great

value, reliability and affordability, we are sure that the different models will have a far-reaching appeal in the surrounding area. Plus with a constantly evolving line-up, this is certainly a recipe for success and we are very happy to be on board.”

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NEWS GT

AIRSIDE TAKES TOP CITROEN AWARD

A

irside Citroën, Swords, Co. Dublin has been awarded the Citroën Ireland Dealer of the Year Award 2018, from a network of 23 authorised sales dealerships nationwide. The Dealership also scooped the Sales Dealer of the Year Award 2018 and were officially presented with both awards by Pat Ryan, Managing Director, Citroën Ireland at the 2018 Dealer Conference which took place at The Heritage Killenard.

The Dealership is owned by Avanacar Limited who took over the operation in May 2017 and is run by Dealer Principal and Managing Director, Damien Smyth who brings a wealth of experience to the brand. The experienced team prides themselves on providing excellent customer service across all departments and are on hand to talk customers through the full range of vehicles and assist with their parts and accessories requirements.

Damien Smyth, Managing Director and Dealer Principal, Airside Citroën, said, “I am delighted to accept these Awards from Citroën Ireland on behalf of all the team at Airside Citroën.

We are thrilled to be announced as Citroën’s Dealership of the Year for 2018 Pictured at the presentation is (l-r), Paul Tunnicliffe, Automotive as well as receiving Development Director, IM Group, Karl Larkin, Sales Manager, the title of Sales Airside Citroën, Damien Smyth, Dealer Principal, Airside Citroën Dealer of the Year. and Pat Ryan, Managing Director, Citroën Ireland.

It is great to have all the team’s hard work acknowledged Speaking about Airside Citroën, Pat outstanding excellence across

by Citroën Ireland and we look Ryan, Managing Director, Citroën both their sales and aftersales forward to 2019 which will be a Ireland, commented, “I would like departments and thoroughly very exciting year for the Brand to warmly congratulate Damien and deserve these awards. We look with the 100-year anniversary all the team on winning this year’s forward to continuing to work with and the arrival of a number of Dealer of the Year Award and all at Airside Citroën in 2019 as we new vehicles including the highly Sales Dealer of the Year Award. celebrate 100 years of the Citroën anticipated New Citroën C5 The dealership has displayed Brand.”

Aircross SUV.”

HIGHLAND MOTORS TAKE AFTERSALES AWARD

H

ighland Motors has been crowned the Citroën Ireland Aftersales Dealer of the Year for 2018, from a network of 23 authorised sales dealerships nationwide.

Highland Motors was founded

by Lawrence Harrigan, Senior in 1973 and was appointed a Citroën Dealership in 2013. The state-ofthe-art showroom in Letterkenny carries the full Citroën vehicle range and the experienced sales and aftersales team possess a wealth of knowledge, Customers satisfaction is a priority and all departments strive to provide the best customer service which is of paramount importance.

Lawrence Harrigan, Junior said, “On behalf of all the team at Highland Motors I am delighted to receive this award for the Aftersales Dealership of the Year 2018. Our customers are our

Pictured at the presentation is (l-r): Mark Carey, Sales Manager, Highland Motors, Roy Maguire, Citroën Ireland and Emmett McGuckian, Aftersales Manager, Highland Motors. number one priority and we strive to provide customer service that is second to none, so we are delighted to receive this acknowledgement of our hard work from Citroën.”

Speaking about the award, Par Ryan, Managing Director, Citroën

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Ireland, commented, “I would like to extend by congratulations to Lawrence and all the aftersales team at Highland Motors on winning this award. The team work tirelessly to meet the needs of their customers and place emphasis on

providing outstanding customer service and advise.

We look forward to continuing to work with all the team at Highland Motors in 2019 as we celebrate the milestone of the brand’s 100th year.”

GARAGETRADER - 7

GT GT

NEWS

COMLINE TAKES ON EUROPE A

utomotive parts supplier Comline has seen a record 2018, exhibiting at no less than five major automotive expos across the continent and reaching a staggering combined audience of over 260,000 customers and key decision makers.

Kicking off in style, the show season began in Frankfurt at the worldrenowned Automechanica, where Comline showcased its largest-ever exhibition stand to a record-breaking 136,000 visitors over four days. Doubling its footprint from the previous year Comline’s stand covered a vast, 78 square metres, providing show-goers with a clear indication of the brand’s growing stature within the European aftermarket sector.

The next stop was Ireland, home to subsidiary Comline Ireland. Exhibiting at Auto Trade Dublin - Ireland’s largest Automotive Expo - Comline once again displayed why it continues to make its mark in over 40 countries worldwide. The 36 square metre stand was a hit with visitors and picked the notable accolade of ‘best stand’ from the show’s organisers, who praised Comline for combining eye-catching, informative displays and fun activities.

Dublin was quickly followed

by Athens, home to subsidiary Comline Hellas, and host to Greece’s Autokinisi. Comline certainly stood out from the crowd at Greece’s national motor show with an impressive 44 square metre stand adorned in the company’s distinctive blue and yellow colours.

It was a striking exhibition which gave Comline Hellas and their authorised distributors the perfect backdrop to showcase the Comline brand and its core product lines.

Next came Bulgaria and Automotive Expo Sofia. This 8- GARAGETRADER

show presented an opportunity for Comline to collaborate with its authorised distributor Auto Plus, who dedicated space on their stand to the Comline brand, cementing the strong partnership and highlighting Comline’s multi-range product offering.

Last, but by no means least, the show train arrived in Cyprus for the Boyz Stuff exhibition. Joining forces once again, this time with key customer Psaltis, the two brands worked together to draw in the crowds using engaging tools such as Comline’s distinctive Panik99 rally car, which took centre stage.

Although differing in size, and focal points, each exhibition stand was consistently designed to

provide a dynamic representation of Comline’s all-marque, multiline, high-quality product portfolio in an informative yet engaging manner, incorporating eye-catching fun activities and a relaxed setting for customer engagement. Thanks to physical displays of the brand’s key product lines, filtration, braking, steering & suspension, and activities such as ‘spin to win’, a game which gave visitors the chance to win prizes, the winning formula delivered at every location.

In addition to the large expos Comline also worked together with its many distributors to deliver numerous local events in places such as Bosnia and Macedonia helping customers to wave the blue and yellow flag at every opportunity.

“2018 truly has been a whirlwind year for the Comline Brand,” said Leigh Davies, Comline’s Marketing Manager. “Our ever-growing presence in Europe made it possible - and frankly essential - for us to be present at a record-number of Automotive exhibitions across the continent.

“The aim was to underline our market position and promote the brand’s core values of supplying high-quality parts and genuine value for money. I feel we have achieved what we set out to do surpassing expectations in every country, a view which was shared by others, and confirmed by the award we received in Dublin.

Looking back on our achievements, I am delighted to declare our 2018 show season was a resounding success - bring on 2019!”

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GARAGETRADER - 9

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GARAGETRADER - 33

GT GT

NEWS

NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS DOWN 4.4% IN 2018

O

fficial statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new car registrations for the year 2018 finished, at 125,557, 4.4% down on 2017 (131,332).

New Light Commercial Vehicle registrations (LCV) finished at 25,561, recording an increase of 5.55% for the year in 2018, while New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) 2,590 saw a slight decrease of 0.5% over the 12 months compared to 2017 (2,603).

Imported Used Cars for the first time in history have reached 100,755 for 2018 an increase of 7.81% on 2017 (93,454). While Used Commercial Vehicle Imports decreased during 2018; LCV -2.9% and HGV down -0.5%.

Other noteworthy stats show that new electric car registrations for 2018 increased with 1,233 registered in comparison to 622 in 2017. The diesel and petrol market share have moved closer, with diesel in 2018 accounting for 54% and petrol (including Petrol Hybrid) 44%.

Commenting on the figures SIMI Director General Designate, Brian Cooke said, “Despite the strong economic performance of Ireland last year, 2018 proved very challenging for new car sales. The drop in new car registrations is largely a result of Brexit and the associated weakness of Sterling. This has led to a surge in used car imports over the last 2 years, and 2018 saw used imports surpass the 100,000 mark for the first time. The Motor Industry is however as always forward looking, and with the new 191 sales period now commencing, 34- GARAGETRADER

January and the first quarter will be the key focus for dealers.

“In this context, the new car market is hugely competitive, with a wide choice of models and creative incentives, as well

as the availability of a variety of financing options driving real value for new car customers. For consumers looking at the used car market, whether an Irish car or a used import, SIMI’s advice

is to shop around and consider the real benefits of shopping in your local retailer, who not only provides value to the customer but also encourages economic activity locally.”

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NEWS GT

PREPARING FOR A NO-DEAL BREXIT

S

IMI has joined IBEC in calling for a ramp-up of the State’s preparation for a No-Deal Brexit, including the implementation of Emergency Legislation that will be needed before the end of March 2019. The SIMI commented that: The Motor Industry has been suffering from the impact of Brexit since 2016 with new car sales down by 15% over the last 2 years, while the registration of imported used cars is up by 111% over the same period. Our Industry is extremely worried at the potential for a devastating impact post-Brexit, similar in scale to the collapse of 2009 which resulted in the Market contracting to less than 50% of its current total. This saw 200 companies ceasing to trade, more than 10,000 people losing their jobs and State revenues falling by almost €1Billion. The current fall in the new car market has resulted from an average Euro to Sterling

value of 88p, but with a No-Deal Brexit from March 29th we may well see Sterling at parity or even below.

While SIMI is not trying to create barriers to trade, it is important to recognise that the level of used imports is unnaturally high and is having an impact on widening the cost to trade-up to new or newer cars. This is not just an issue for the Industry. For the State there is a potential reduction of up to €500 Million in VRT and VAT revenues, while there is also the Environmental challenge, both in terms of air quality and climate change arising from Ireland opening the door for such a flood of older cars, as currently over 75% of used imports are diesel vehicles over half of which are 4 years or older. As a result of the new 1% VRT surcharge on a new diesel car we will register perhaps five to six thousand fewer new cleaner diesel cars in 2019, while at the same time

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we are likely to import in excess of 80,000 diesel cars, many of which are older cars producing on average double the levels of particulates and NOx of a new diesel car.

This highlights the illogicality of seeking to influence new car buying decisions while ignoring the impact of the current volume of Brexit-driven used car imports.

While EU regulations would support Ireland’s right to protect employment, business, tax revenues and the Environment, this may require specific Irish Legislation to implement new requirements.

A new Road Safety Bill is currently being drafted, providing opportunity for the State to include required amendments to ensure that the same safety and environmental standards that are required to be met by new vehicles must also be met by any used vehicles, seeking to be put into service here.

Commenting on the Industry’s concerns, Brian Cooke (SIMI

Director General Designate) said “Over the past two years our Industry has faced this huge flood of older UK cars that has been hugely damaging to business and will make our environmental challenges even more difficult.

So long as there was hope of an Agreement, that would benefit Ireland overall, SIMI was not calling for the introduction of barriers on the movement of used cars which could have been seen as a first step in the building of a border on this island. In the event of a No-Deal Brexit all of this changes and the State has a responsibility to protect Irish jobs, businesses, tax revenues and our environment. It is a question of survival for so many businesses in the Sector that the State must be Brexit-ready with required legislative provisions already in place in advance of March 29th in the event that we move immediately into No-Deal Brexit.”

GARAGETRADER - 35