Chevrolet from today (1 March) is distributed in Ireland by Luton, England-based Chevrolet UK and Ireland.
The sales network in Ireland is now backed by the existing Chevrolet UK business, one of the brand’s national sales companies, and not a private importer.
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Previously a brand of low-volume, mostly left-hand drive-only, models from North America, Chevrolet was relaunched in Europe in January 2005 with the addition of volume models previously branded Daewoo. The Chevrolet brand now accounts for over 1% of the total European car market.
Mark Terry, managing director, said: “While the Irish market isn’t one of the biggest in Europe, it represents a real opportunity for a brand like Chevrolet to grow and develop yet further.
“With the great range of cars we now have, our competitive CO2 figures, low purchase and ownership costs and a dedicated team here in the UK that covers every aspect of the business, I’m confident we can become a major player in Ireland, significantly adding to our future sales and parts volumes, and moreover delivering exactly the type of cars that the Irish markets wants and needs.”
Chevrolet has presented its development plans to a number of Irish dealers and dealer groups, many of whom held Chevrolet franchises with the previous importer, and the new network is already established. Chevy is sold in the UK and Ireland as a separate stand-alone brand from GM’s Vauxhall (UK and Northern Ireland) and Opel (Ireland).
“After we presented our plans, over two-thirds of the previous Chevrolet network in Ireland signed up to partner our business,” added Terry. “And we’re at the early stage – I look forward to welcoming more of them on board very soon.”
As well as the advantage of being part of a national sales country, Chevrolet’s Irish dealers will benefit from the company’s existing sales, aftersales, parts, warranty, marketing and PR support, with a large focus on raising awareness of the brand and its presence in Ireland over the coming months.
Initially, four models are offered in Ireland – Spark, New Aveo, the Cruze (both four and five-door) and the Captiva SUV. New models, including the Cruze wagon that makes its debut at this month’s Geneva show, will join range later.
