Opel honours Irish dealers with long association to the brand
Florian Huettl, Opel’s global CEO, enjoyed a visit to Dublin on 16th July, to meet with the Opel Ireland team at Gowan Auto, Irish importer of Opel vehicles and spare parts.
In the spirit of Opel’s new motto, Forever Forward Since 1899, Huettl’s visit to Dublin was the ideal platform to celebrate several key dealer milestones.
Ten of Opel’s longest-standing dealers in Ireland were presented with trophies, to mark their many decades of partnership with the ‘Blitz’ brand.
Dealer Principal at Greenhall Motors, Buttevant, Barry O’Shea, was presented with a trophy for the dealership’s 59 years of Opel business, since 1965. Greenhall Motors is the current reining Opel Dealer of the Year.
John Boland, of Boland’s of Clondalkin, Opel Authorised Repairer, was presented with a trophy for the dealership’s 58 years of Opel business, since 1966, when it was first established by his father, Jim Boland.
Dealer Principal at Ahern’s Garage, Castleisland, Co. Kerry, Pat Ahern, was presented with a trophy for the dealership’s 58 years of Opel business, since 1966.
Dealer Principals at Ferrybank Motors, Wexford, John and Wendy O’Rourke, were presented with a trophy for the dealership’s 57 years of Opel business, since 1967, when it was first established by the late Frank O’Rourke, and his wife Mary.
Kevin O’Leary Motor Group is celebrating 55 years of Opel business in 2024, appointed to the Opel Dealer Network of Ireland since 1969. To mark the occasion, Kevin O’Leary Senior and his son, Kevin O’Leary, were presented with a trophy. The Dealer group today comprises extensive showrooms in Bandon, Silversprings, and Clonmel.
Dealer Principal at JJ Fleming & Co., Galway, Pat Fleming, was presented with a trophy for the dealership’s 52 years of Opel business, since 1972.
Paul Walpole, Dealer Principal at Central Motors, Mohill, County Leitrim, was presented with a trophy for the dealer’s 52 years of Opel business, since 1972.
Colin Young, Dealer Principal at Young’s Garage, Roscrea, County Tipperary, was presented with a trophy for the dealer’s 52 years of Opel business, since 1972.
Dealer Principal at J McChesney and Son, Clontibret, County Monaghan, was presented with a trophy for the dealer’s 47 years of Opel business, since 1977. J McChesney and Son was crowned Opel Dealer of the Year in 2022.
Martin Doyle, Dealer Principal at John Kelly Waterford was presented with a trophy for the dealer’s 45 years of Opel business, since 1979.
The Gowan Group, established in 1969, today represents eight Stellantis brands in Ireland. The company invested in a new distribution centre in Citywest in 2023. Opel’s new home in Ireland boasts expansive office space, an 80,000 square foot parts warehouse, a contemporary training academy, and an extensive marketing showroom.