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February 20, 2023
HomeNewsRathcoole Commercial wins CV operation of the year

Rathcoole Commercial wins CV operation of the year

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The SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards in partnership with sponsor Bank of Ireland, took place recently at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin.

Aidan Tierney, celebrity impressionist, comedian and master of ceremonies announced the accolades in front of over 600 senior motor industry figures.

Brian Cooke, SIMI director general and Derek Kavanagh, head of motor franchise sales of Bank of Ireland Finance presented seven award categories in total.

The award winners, adjudicated by an independent panel, operate across all sectors of the Irish motor industry. Companies selected demonstrated an award-winning level of excellence and best practice over the last 12 months.

Category award winners were:

  • Commercial Vehicle Operation of the Year: Rathcoole Commercial
  • Bodyshop of the Year: Accident Repair Centre (ARC)
  • 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
  • Franchise Sales Operation of the Year: MSL Cork

Before their announcement, SIMI deputy president Paddy Magee commended the industry whom over the past few years have traded and continue to do so, under unprecedented challenging and changing circumstances, while continuing to provide vital local employment and support to both the national economy and local communities.

Mr. Magee commented: “The climate crisis, is a unique and ambitious challenge, one which requires long term strategic policy that encourages the uptake of Zero Emissions and Low Emissions Alternative Fuel vehicles.

“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.

“In that context, the Government must continue to support the purchase of EVs through the extension of grants and VRT reliefs out to 2025, while also giving serious consideration to halting the reduction in the EV Benefit-in-Kind reliefs for a few more years.

“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: “While we recognise that supports cannot remain in place indefinitely, any early reduction risks securing maximum EV supply and stalling sales at a key time of growth in the market.”

Commercial Vehicle Operation of the Year (l-r): Derek Kavanagh, Bank of Ireland; winner Paul Cooke, Rathcoole Commercial; Brian Cooke, director general SIMI; and Paddy Magee, deputy SIMI president.
Bodyshop of the Year (l-r): Derek Kavanagh, Bank of Ireland; winner Owen Cullen, Accident Repair Centre; Brian Cooke, director general SIMI; and Paddy Magee, deputy SIMI president.
Vehicle Recovery Operator of the Year (l-r): Derek Kavanagh, Bank of Ireland; winner James and Brian Foy, James Foy Auto Service; Brian Cooke, director general SIMI; and Paddy Magee, deputy SIMI president.
Independent Sales Operation of the Year (l-r): Derek Kavanagh, Bank of Ireland; winner Ger Cremins and Eddie Adomiaitis, AutoXpress; Brian Cooke, director general SIMI; and Paddy Magee, deputy SIMI president.
Independent Aftersales Operation of the Year (l-r): Derek Kavanagh, Bank of Ireland; winner Eoin McGuinness, Auto Assure Ltd.; Brian Cooke, director general SIMI; and Paddy Magee, deputy SIMI president.
Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year (l-r): Derek Kavanagh, Bank of Ireland; Paddy Magee, deputy SIMI president; winner Noel Stewart and Donal Waters, Blackstone Motors; and Brian Cooke, director general SIMI.
Franchise Sales Operation of the Year (l-r): Derek Kavanagh, Bank of Ireland; winner Dermot O’Hara, MSL Cork; Brian Cooke, director general SIMI; and Paddy Magee, deputy SIMI president.

The regional winners of the 2023 ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Awards were also announced, and will now be considered for the overall national award, to be revealed at SEAI’s Energy Show in the RDS on 30th March.

The regional winners were:

  • Joe Mallon Motors in Leinster
  • Keary’s BMW & Mini in Munster
  • JJ Burke Car Sales in Connaught
  • McGinley Motors in Ulster

Zero Vehicles Emissions Ireland (ZEVI), part of the Department of Transport, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), said the awards recognise and reward “outstanding efforts” in promoting and encouraging electric vehicle uptake in Ireland.

The Regional Awards are a new category in the EV Dealership of the Year awards, with a winner for each of the four provinces.

These dealerships were selected from a shortlist of county award winners, evaluated on several criteria including showroom visibility of EVs, salesperson knowledge of EVs, sales approach, EV training, sales trends and website presentation.

(Leinster Winner) Pictured from left: Paddy Magee, SIMI deputy president; winner Anthony, Philip, and Eithne Mallon of Joe Mallon Motors (Kildare); Aoife O Grady, head of ZEVI; and Declan Meally, director of business public sector and transport at SEAI.
(Connacht Winner) Pictured from left: Paddy Magee, SIMI deputy president; winner Pauline Burke of JJ Burke Car Sales (Mayo); Aoife O Grady, head of ZEVI; and Declan Meally, director of business public sector and transport at SEAI.
(Ulster Winner) Pictured from left: 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.