Actual Garage Closures in 2008/2009

traco

OK - There are lots of threads on here speculating about garages, prices, margins, profits etc etc. Loads of comments about the death of the motor industry and so on but How many have actually closed? I suspect its not that many but it could be interesting to compare 2008 to 2009.

So as an exercise in fact, why not list the garages that have closed since January 1, 2008. If this thread gets interest we can close it at the end of December and start a new one for 2009, if it gets no interest - it will quietly disappear into the dark depths of the Boards archives.

I don't know if we should name them or just go generic with the address but they would need to be identified so as not to be counted twice.

I would sugest the following that we just identify then as:-
Main Dealer or Independent - Main St, Wherever. Approximate date.

I'll kick off
Main Dealer, Naas Ind Est, Naas. April 2008.

Closure count as of post #36

Independent - 4
Main dealers - 7
Franchise not renewed - 2

L1011

Mazda/Fiat in Navan both went out I believe?

00D911

Independent, Ballymount Rd. Early Summer 2008.

Owen

Turners Cross, VW, Audi and Mazda in Cork.

Bandara

its not just about closures, its about the staff being let go etc

Rathdown motors, 16 sales staff down to 3

bazz26

Pat Keogh, Nissan, Tipperary Road, Limerick. Not actually closed down yet but doesn't have the Nissan franchise anymore.

Tom Hogan Motors, Lexus, Dock Road, Limerick. Closed recently.

Elm Motors, Mitsubishi, Ennis Road, Limerick. Again still opened and still have the Volvo franchise but Mitsubishi have moved to a different dealer and if stories are to be believed Volvo will follow next.

-Chris-

Would you include in this the likes of Maxwell Motors et al. who didn't renew their BMW contract?
While they're not closed down, they made the decision to lose their franchise due to the downturn in car sales & the economy in general.

niceirishfella

Lots of independent smaller sole trader used car sales guys went to the wall around the country - not big names but tragic none the less as most of these guys are family men.

junkyard

Things will never be the same in this country, it's next to impossible to make money here anymore, as it stands, most businesses are running on reserves at the minute but these are running out fast with the high overheads and once they're gone so are their businesses. Instead of keeping the place going like the UK, Cowen and co have steered this country in the wrong direction and after the crash they'll still walk away with their pensions etc. The boom was inflated by them in the first place but it looks like some of us will be footing the bill, at least the ones that will still be working. I'm winding up my business over the next few months and I know of at least 10 others who are doing the same. I suppose we'll have to shop around for jobs too like everything else here. It's absolutely incredible how this FF shower are still in command tbh.:mad:

Berty

Its more a shame the staff losing their jobs. The owners might probably be safer financially.

I sort of lost my job today. I was called into the Managing directors office with another director and told my position was being made redundant but they offered me something else within the company. €20k less commission possiblity. Great eh!

I should count myself lucky not to lose my job before christmas.

pred racer

junkyard wrote: »

Things will never be the same in this country, it's next to impossible to make money here anymore, as it stands, most businesses are running on reserves at the minute but these are running out fast with the high overheads and once they're gone so are their businesses. Instead of keeping the place going like the UK, Cowen and co have steered this country in the wrong direction and after the crash they'll still walk away with their pensions etc. The boom was inflated by them in the first place but it looks like some of us will be footing the bill, at least the ones that will still be working. I'm winding up my business over the next few months and I know of at least 10 others who are doing the same. I suppose we'll have to shop around for jobs too like everything else here. It's absolutely incredible how this FF shower are still in command tbh.:mad:

sorry to hear you are winding up.

niceirishfella

+1

and a big +1 on Cowen and Co, they just don't have a clue how to manage in a crisis

BostonB

niceirishfella wrote: »

+1

and a big +1 on Cowen and Co, they just don't have a clue how to manage in a crisis

or at any time.

tywy

Hammertime wrote: »

its not just about closures, its about the staff being let go etc

Rathdown motors, 16 sales staff down to 3

They've a sign up at the moment looking for staff...

jonnygee

junkyard wrote: »

Things will never be the same in this country, it's next to impossible to make money here anymore, as it stands, most businesses are running on reserves at the minute but these are running out fast with the high overheads and once they're gone so are their businesses. Instead of keeping the place going like the UK, Cowen and co have steered this country in the wrong direction and after the crash they'll still walk away with their pensions etc. The boom was inflated by them in the first place but it looks like some of us will be footing the bill, at least the ones that will still be working. I'm winding up my business over the next few months and I know of at least 10 others who are doing the same. I suppose we'll have to shop around for jobs too like everything else here. It's absolutely incredible how this FF shower are still in command tbh.:mad:

I am not into politics at all, but if we could leave past mistakes behind then what exactly would this government need to do now, tomorrow to save the motor trade which must be dreading 2009. Is there anything that can be done now or is it too late.

junkyard

Taxes need to be cut drastically across the board, not just the motoring sector, we need to keep the country rolling, not lock it down as is being done now. Retail is in a worse state than motoring as we'll see from January as most are only holding on in the hope of selling off stock over the Christmas period but the Brits are after stealing the show by dropping the vat rate and have effectively won the day. The damage is probably done at this stage tbh as confidence in the government is gone as a result of their inability to run the country as they were elected to do. They seem to be unaware of the crisis that is happening now or at least, don't want to know. We need to do as they did in Thialand, shut the country down and get the b@stards out asap. But we need the best people from all parties at this stage, not just another government, we need people who genuinely care about the country not some overweight cute whore from a long line of cute whores who's only out to feather his or her own nest. We've been burdoned with tax after tax and the result is the camels back is broken now.

Anan1

junkyard wrote: »

But we need the best people from all parties at this stage, not just another government, we need people who genuinely care about the country not some overweight cute whore from a long line of cute whores who's only out to feather his or her own nest.

As far as I can see, the only way of achieving this would be to abandon democracy as our political system.

-Chris-

Berty wrote: »

I sort of lost my job today. I was called into the Managing directors office with another director and told my position was being made redundant but they offered me something else within the company. €20k less commission possiblity. Great eh!

Sorry to hear that Berty, that's a serious hit in the pocket!

junkyard

Anan1 wrote: »

As far as I can see, the only way of achieving this would be to abandon democracy as our political system.

It looks like it as democracy isn't working out as we can see now. This really is a very serious time for us all. Heads will have to roll, preferably not ours.

ninty9er

junkyard wrote: »

Taxes need to be cut drastically across the board, not just the motoring sector, we need to keep the country rolling, not lock it down as is being done now. Retail is in a worse state than motoring as we'll see from January as most are only holding on in the hope of selling off stock over the Christmas period but the Brits are after stealing the show by dropping the vat rate and have effectively won the day.

I'm not going to engage in a political argument with you in motors, but should you feel the need to wake up to reality any time soon:

Cut taxes = further cuts in public services, cuts in infrastructure leading to a long term depression.

Borrowing is not a possibility, and before you roll out the bail out gem, not 1c of taxpayers money has been spent on bailing out banks.

Just because another government(s) THINK that the policy you advocate MAY work in their jurisdiction, it is not an indication that the same or similar action would have the same effect in our economy.

Countries with 15 million taxpayers have many more options than countries with 1.5 million.

That will be all and I won;t be making any more policy responses in this thread mods as the TOPIC is "What garages have closed"

-Chris-

Wow! That went pretty OT pretty quick... :p

Holsten

Just saw today that Appleton Motors in Celbridge are gone. (Opel Main Dealer)

niceirishfella

Blimey......................................................

junkyard

ninty9er wrote: »

I'm not going to engage in a political argument with you in motors, but should you feel the need to wake up to reality any time soon:

Cut taxes = further cuts in public services, cuts in infrastructure leading to a long term depression.

Borrowing is not a possibility, and before you roll out the bail out gem, not 1c of taxpayers money has been spent on bailing out banks.

Just because another government(s) THINK that the policy you advocate MAY work in their jurisdiction, it is not an indication that the same or similar action would have the same effect in our economy.

Countries with 15 million taxpayers have many more options than countries with 1.5 million.

That will be all and I won;t be making any more policy responses in this thread mods as the TOPIC is "What garages have closed"

There's really not much point in arguing with you either as you've already been brainwashed by your superiors.

Berty

Back in 05 I bought my first and last car from a dealership showroom. Boss has given me a free car since.

It was september and the sales guy asked me was I ordering for 2006. Im not that patient. Drove it away that day.

Danbo!

tywy wrote: »

They've a sign up at the moment looking for staff...

I noticed that. Seems during the good times a lot of people were given ridiculous pay rises in a lot of different industries. Now that the business is gone, it's these people getting laid off (usually the highest skilled-hence the pay rises) and people being taken on at a more affordable rate. So, as said above, the sales staff went from 16 to 3, but they may need 8 altogether. So, lose 12 high paid staff and take on 5 low paid staff.

-Chris-

Is it legal to make someone redundant and then to hire someone new in their place? I thought redundancy meant that your job didn't exist any more.

keefg

AudiChris wrote: »

Is it legal to make someone redundant and then to hire someone new in their place? I thought redundancy meant that your job didn't exist any more.

I'm pretty sure you're right there Chris.

Same thing is happening in an accounting firm in UK that a friend of mine works at, all six staff were made redundant last week with no notice but were told there would be two new vacancies in their dept open and all of them were welcome to apply for them.


Back on topic, there was a small indy showroom in Newbridge (next do McD's) which closed down a couple of months back it has now re-opened as an EP Moony showroom within the last couple of weeks.

Funxy

junkyard wrote: »

Taxes need to be cut drastically across the board, not just the motoring sector, we need to keep the country rolling, not lock it down as is being done now. Retail is in a worse state than motoring as we'll see from January as most are only holding on in the hope of selling off stock over the Christmas period but the Brits are after stealing the show by dropping the vat rate and have effectively won the day. The damage is probably done at this stage tbh as confidence in the government is gone as a result of their inability to run the country as they were elected to do. They seem to be unaware of the crisis that is happening now or at least, don't want to know.

Your right junkyard. Retail really is in a bad way. Its such a shame the goverment seem so blind to what is happeneing and what they were thinking by upping taxes and not cutting them is beyond belief. Well not really we should know by this stage they are unable to do much for us only spend spend spend.

peasant

let's stick to the topic please

Funxy

Ooops my bad. I forgot this wasn't a forum where people could express opinions and enjoy chatting on threads. Off i go again! :P

galwaytt

ninty9er wrote: »

Just because another government(s) THINK that the policy you advocate MAY work in their jurisdiction, it is not an indication that the same or similar action would have the same effect in our economy.

Sorry, just one last comment on this : you are correct. But, when that country is physically linked to ours, and the money is running out over the border, by the million, the net effect is the same. Saying it ain't so, or saying they're wrong/we're right, isn't going to help - the money is still leaving the State. And in this Dept (Motors- boards.ie), we're all sinners, as the sums we're shipping out are much bigger than the odd trolley of shopping.......we're moving 10's of 1000's at a time.........

I feel sorry for the car trade, tbh.

As for retail, my wife works in that, and they are currently experiencing their biggest year ever. Why ? Because they're at the lower end of the market, price-wise. And believe me, people have shifted, in their 1000's, on the High Street, with regard to their spending.

Mmmm, do we need an off-topic area in Motors, for us petroleum heads.....????

ditcar

White bishop on long mile closed, their Seat/daihastu/Citreon showroom, though White bishop Opel up the road looked open.
Foster motor co used car letting sales people go,
Automotion Naas Road closed showroom
Loads more cant think of right now!

Darragh29

I heard Pino Harris has let go everyone who was employed manufacturing trucks on the Naas Road. I only found out recently that these trucks come into the country in a kit form and are assembled at the Naas Road. Around 40+ people were let go there recently.

I closed my own indy garage earlier on this year. The economic situation was certainly a big contributory factor. But what made the decision in the end for me was the difficulty in getting paid for work, people trying every trick in the book to get out of paying on time, looking for credit, looking for me to do transactions for a price that would ultimately mean that I couldn't close the month and pay bills without having to take money from my personal savings (which meant I lost money that month).

In the end I decided it was a headache I no longer wanted and pulled down the shutters. The irony of it is that I would probably be very very busy now if I kept at it as people are starting to look for better value!

seamus

E.P. Mooney has had to lay off a massive chunk of his forecourt staff. He was very upset about it as he'd never had to let anyone go (who didn't deserve it) since he first started.

Any of the sons who were previously in executive positions are now back down on the sales floor.

It is a pity, but I imagine this will bring about a much more competitive market in Ireland with people looking for value in their vehicles. We might even get to the standard of the continent, where standard features over there are considered to be paid-for extras over here.

traco

OK - just ran through the thread and teh count ti this point is as follows

Independent - 4
Main dealers - 7
Franchise not renewed - 2

Let me know if I am incorrect and I will change, this will be added to the OP also. Have no idea how to handel the jobs that are lost, it would be nice to include them but difficult to get exact fugures.

ninty9er

MYOB wrote: »

Mazda/Fiat in Navan both went out I believe?

I believe that Mazda was a reckless trading situation with the director being declared bankrupt along with the company though.

Seem to remember lots of crocodile tears over spilt milk.

Limerick has no Fiat Dealer anymore either, nobody wants the franchise it would seem. The dealership remains an Alfa and Kia operation, with the previous Kia dealer reverting to indy.

I doubt Tom Hogan was surprised at the closure and was looking for any excuse really, having been in that old coal shed for over 3 years trying to shift Lexus, I'm sure those customers were still paying for his big Galway showroom though!

L1011

ninty9er wrote: »

Limerick has no Fiat Dealer anymore either, nobody wants the franchise it would seem. The dealership remains an Alfa and Kia operation, with the previous Kia dealer reverting to indy.

I never assumed Fiat Auto Ireland would allow you to have Alfa and not Fiat, thats a very odd situation anyway!

Captain Slow IRL

Found out today that Coopers Fiat in Sligo closed down friday.

Every local garage or in neighbouring towns has either let staff go and/or cut down hours.

shawnee

It's a really crazy situation in the Motor industry here. I was just talking to a neighbour who had travelled to the North and bought a 08 Golf. He had checked with local Vw dealer in Limerick and Tipp, both are full of secondhand cars. He then travelled a couple of hundred miles and managed to save up to 9,000 euro. Now even if he is exaggerating the saving, he must have saved 7 or more. Where else can you do that ? Surely the garages that are full of cars, Vw in Tipp and in Limerick will need to have a give away sale and reduce by up to 50 percent. Otherwise they will continue to pay staff and overheads and have no money coming in.
What a mess the industry has suddenly become, it is almost as bad as the building industry.

ntlbell

AudiChris wrote: »

Is it legal to make someone redundant and then to hire someone new in their place? I thought redundancy meant that your job didn't exist any more.

you just need to change the job title....

"dish washer" becomes "chemical engineer" etc etc

L1011

shawnee wrote: »

It's a really crazy situation in the Motor industry here. I was just talking to a neighbour who had travelled to the North and bought a 08 Golf. He had checked with local Vw dealer in Limerick and Tipp, both are full of secondhand cars. He then travelled a couple of hundred miles and managed to save up to 9,000 euro. Now even if he is exaggerating the saving, he must have saved 7 or more. Where else can you do that ? Surely the garages that are full of cars, Vw in Tipp and in Limerick will need to have a give away sale and reduce by up to 50 percent. Otherwise they will continue to pay staff and overheads and have no money coming in.
What a mess the industry has suddenly become, it is almost as bad as the building industry.

Has he actually VRTed said 08 golf though? 9k seems a bit high saving for it unless its an R32 or similar.

RandomAccess

shawnee wrote: »

It's a really crazy situation in the Motor industry here. ... He had checked with local Vw dealer in Limerick and Tipp, both are full of secondhand cars. ... Surely the garages that are full of cars, Vw in Tipp and in Limerick will need to have a give away sale and reduce by up to 50 percent.
What a mess the industry has suddenly become, it is almost as bad as the building industry.

Not surprised about VW in Tipp,
I bought a used car over a year ago and went there to take a look, it was stacked with cars most of which hadn't even been washed since being traded in. Some dealers made no effort to sustain a used car market so they got what they deserve in my opinion.

The cars in VW Limerick were reasonably well presented.

ninty9er

RandomAccess wrote: »

Not surprised about VW in Tipp,
I bought a used car over a year ago and went there to take a look, it was stacked with cars most of which hadn't even been washed since being traded in. Some dealers made no effort to sustain a used car market so they got what they deserve in my opinion.

The cars in VW Limerick were reasonably well presented.

While the cars are well presented in Limerick (stopped in today to prolong the non-study for tomorrow's economics), the customer service can be absolutely crap, though I had a positive experience as a tyre kicker a few weeks back.

Never heard a bad word said about Tipp though, often the contrary,lots of praise.

traco

Updated numbers

Independent - 4
Main dealers - 8
Franchise not renewed - 2

Looks like Main dealers are feeling it the most but could be as they are the most noticeable.

(Maybe a mod could Update the OP? Thanks.)

coco06

Main car dealers in Balbriggan gone i believe. Real shame tbh.

Saab Ed

Is it true about a big one on the Long Mile rd today?

Darragh29

Saab Ed wrote: »

Is it true about a big one on the Long Mile rd today?

Didn't hear that, is it on the news?

Saab Ed

No, got it on the Grapevine from a finance rep

Darragh29

Saab Ed wrote: »

No, got it on the Grapevine from a finance rep

Just made a phone call there, apparently the banks have moved in on one dealer on the Long Mile Road and have put security people in to secure their assets... Makes me sick when I see the 10,000,000,000 Euro in back up that the banks are getting.

Saab Ed

Yeah I know. Hope its wrong. Long time around