Van, Truck, Trailer, Bus and Coach Aftermarket News in Ireland
Menu

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.

Barry O’Shea, Dealer Principal at Greenhall Motors, current reining Opel Dealer of the Year, has been awarded an Opel longevity award for 59 years of commitment to the Opel brand.

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.

In recognition of Boland’s of Clondalkin 58 years of partnership with the Opel brand, John Boland is presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

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.

In recognition of Ahern’s Garage’s 58 years of partnership with the Opel brand, Pat Ahern is presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

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.

In recognition of Ferrybank Motors’ 57 years of partnership with the Opel brand, John and Wendy O’Rourke are presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

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.

In recognition of Kevin O’Leary Motor Group’s 55 years of partnership with the Opel brand, father and son, Kevin O’Leary Snr and Jnr are presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

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.

In recognition of JJ Fleming & Co.’s 52 years of partnership with the Opel brand, Pat Fleming is presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

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.

In recognition of Central Motor’s 52 years of partnership with the Opel brand, Paul Walpole was presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

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.

In recognition of Young’s Garage’s 52 years of partnership with the Opel brand, Colin Young was presented with an Opel Dealer Longevity award.

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.

In recognition of J McChesney and Son’s 47 years of partnership with the Opel brand, Brian McChesney is presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

Martin Doyle, Dealer Principal at John Kelly Waterford was presented with a trophy for the dealer’s 45 years of Opel business, since 1979.

In recognition of John Kelly Waterford’s 45 years of partnership with the Opel brand, Martin Doyle is presented with an award by James Brooks, Opel Ireland MD (left) and Florian Huettl, Opel global CEO (right).

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.