Spirit Motor Group acquires Derek Burton 4X4

goochy

This must be one of the stranger takeovers over the last few years, a large dealer group buys up a dealer out in the countryside which deals in isuzu , ssangyong and used 4x4 and cars ( not exactly great franchises) . it seems derek burtons sons did not want to buy business from him so spirit took it over and the sons are remaining on for the moment at least.

derek burtons premises are quite impressive and they are on the N11 but the showrooms dont have frontage onto n11 so not much opportunity to attrat passing trade.

assume spirit have plans to take on other franchises but in fairness wicklow does not have much of a car market - few dealers and no audi , bmw or mercedes dealers for many years.

copacetic

They have a good reputation, maybe perfect for turning into a main land rover dealer for Wicklow.

coylemj

goochy wrote: »

derek burtons premises are quite impressive and they are on the N11 but the showrooms dont have frontage onto n11 so not much opportunity to attrat passing trade.

I doubt very much that he relies on 'passing trade', how any times have we all been stuck at lights looking at his name on the back of the 4x4 in front? He doesn't need to spend a penny on advertising.

People get a name for being a specialist - Alan Dorgan in Monkstown for soft tops and Derek Burton in Wicklow for 4x4.

goochy

did think that myself but its close to Sandyford. sean behan didnt seem to sell that many new land rovers during boom years ( he also bought in too many used ones) . i have nothing against wicklow but as its not as prosperous as say meath or kildare ( very little industry/ factories) i cant see how a high end main dealer could survive .

porsche boy

The thing with Wicklow is while there may nor be much industry there is a lot of wealth. I actually think it's a clever move on Spirit's behalf.

Eric Cartman

A great move and a very effective brand to use to peddle spirits trade-ins / second hand stock that might not belong in their dublin forecourt

goochy

yes, passed there over xmas and already had a no. of spirit used cars in stock. but this also means spirit in Sandyford will have even less used l/R for sale than ever. As a leading dealer you wonder why they are not interested in used l/r's ? reliability issues ?

derek burton 4x4 really prospered over the celtic tiger years but that was when Paddy Connolly was sales manager , he really spiced things up . Remember they were unofficial hummer dealers ?

you wonder why Dereks sons didnt take over the business ? i believe Mark has a finance background , maybe figures didnt stack up.

the fact that Paddy connolly opened an outlet just down the road from burtons is strange . did he leave on bad terms ?