SIMI Announces Winners of Prestigious Motor Industry Awards in Partnership with Bank of Ireland

The SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards in partnership with sponsor Bank of Ireland, took place recently at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin. Simon Delaney, master of ceremonies announced the accolades in front of over 700 senior Motor Industry figures. 

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General and John Feeney, Head of Property, Project & Asset-backed Finance of Bank of Ireland Finance presented the five 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

• Bodyshop of the Year: Denning’s Cars Ltd, Dublin,
• Vehicle Recovery Operator of the Year: Hamill Rental Ltd, Co. Westmeath,
• Independent Retailer Operation of the Year: Autopoint Motor Group, Co. Kerry,
• Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year: Toyota Naas, Co. Kildare,
• Franchise Sales Operation of the Year: Western Motors Drogheda, Co. Louth,

Before their announcement, SIMI President Paddy Magee commended the resilience and adaptability of the Motor Industry to trade during these challenging times and acknowledged the industry’s continued commitment to the climate change targets. 

The motor industry continues to play a significant role in the Irish economy, collecting over 1 Billion euros for the Exchequer from car sales last year. When other motoring taxes and the annual tax taken from motorists are included it is close to 6 Billion euros.

Mr. Magee remarked “Manufacturers and retailers have worked diligently to grow the EV market, with over 70 different new electric vehicle models now available, demonstrating the dedication to consumers and the investment by the industry in the electric vehicle transition. While we accept that incentives cannot continue indefinitely, it is still too premature to start phasing supports. The Government has been generous in its support of EVs to date; it is simply imperative that this Government commitment is maintained as we move to the next cohort of potential EV buyers.”  

The Society warmly welcomed Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), who announced the winners of the ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year regional awards. These awards recognise and reward excellence in the promotion and sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland. 

ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Regional Award Winners:

• Fitzpatrick's Garage Kildare Ltd in Kildare for Leinster,
• Fermoy Nissan in Cork for Munster,
• Western Motors Ltd in Galway for Connaught,
• Connolly's Volkswagen Letterkenny for Ulster

John Feeney, Head of Property, Project & Asset-backed Finance Bank of Ireland "Bank of Ireland are delighted to partner with SIMI for the Irish Motor Industry Awards. The event is a small representation of our strong and steady backing for the motor finance business. We are immensely proud of our partnership with 23 motor brands. Bank of Ireland are committed to supporting the transition to Electric vehicles, which is an important part of our national story, and we are proud to help facilitate the industry in delivering an incredible range of vehicles to their customers.”

SIMI President Paddy Magee praised all the companies that were shortlisted for each of the SIMI Motor Industry Award categories.

Award Winners Pics Titles

SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards Category Winners

36. SIMI President Paddy Magee

37. L-R: Paddy Magee President of SIMI, John Feeney Bank of Ireland with Liam Denning of Dennings Cars Ltd who received the Award for Bodyshop of the Year 2024, Brian Cooke Director General of SIMI.
38. L-R: Paddy Magee President of SIMI, John Feeney Bank of Ireland with Peter and Brian Hamill winners of the Vehicle Recovery Operator of the Year 2024, Brian Cooke Director General of SIMI

39. L-R: Paddy Magee President of SIMI, John Feeney Bank of Ireland with Brian Hanafin and John Dillon of Autopoint Motor Group winners of the Award for Independent Retailer Operation of the Year 2024, Brian Cooke Director General of SIMI.

40. L-R: Paddy Magee President of SIMI, John Feeney Bank of Ireland with Liam Fitzpatrick and Shane Brennan of Toyota Naas winners of the Award for Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year 2024, Brian Cooke Director General of SIMI

41. L-R: Paddy Magee President of SIMI, John Feeney Bank of Ireland with Liam Gillespie and Robbie Matthews of Western Motors Drogheda winners of the Award for Franchised Sales Operation of the Year 2024, Brian Cooke Director General of SIMI

ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year regional awards winners

43. Emer Barry of SEAI and Aoife O'Grady of ZEVI present Philip Burt of Connolly's Volkswagen Letterkenny with the Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year Award for the Ulster Region.

44. Emer Barry of SEAI and Aoife O'Grady of ZEVI present Sean McCarthy and Len Prendergast of Fermoy Nissan with the Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year Award for the Munster Region.

45. Emer Barry of SEAI and Aoife O'Grady of ZEVI present Elaine Hoade and James McCormack of Western Motors with the Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year Award for the Connacht Region.

46. Emer Barry of SEAI and Aoife O'Grady of ZEVI present Natasha Hogan, Sean and David Lyons of Fitzpatrick's Garage Kildare with the Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year Award for the Leinster Region.

For further information:
Teresa Noone, SIMI, Tel: 087 7928844  Email tnoone@simi.ie