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In
historical terms the Group is relatively young and despite
its relatively short history it has seen significant change,
growth and development since its founding in 1982. The
business started out as a rental company founded by John
Leahy and John Culleton who remain shareholders today. The
rental business traded under the style Irish Car Rentals
Limited and slowly built up a base of business concentrating
on the airports and the German market which was an emerging
market for tourists into Ireland in the early 1980’s.
In
1990 the rental business secured an international (US based)
car rental franchise which it operated until 1998. Due to
the lack of European business from that US franchise in 1998
the company moved franchises to a German based franchise and
started aggressive development of the online market via
irishcarrentals.com.
A
used car retail operation emerged from disposing of the
rental fleet at the end of the rental season, Clareview
Motors Limited slowly built up a considerable base of
business and customers. It became clear that the synergy
between motor dealerships and car rentals was something that
something that ensured a more competitive cost base and
access to fleet. The Group sought investment to expand its
strategy in motor dealerships and following on from venture
capital investment the Group purchased Limerick Opel
dealership Ennis Road Motors Limited at the end of 1996.
The dealership division was expanded by a move with Opel in
to Tullamore in 2000 opening Church Road Motors Limited and
in 2001 in Limerick a flagship site Motorzone Limited was
opened it operates a Kia dealership and a large used car
business.
The
rental business requirement for repairing damage to vehicles
saw the emergence of the Group own specialist crash repair
unit Clareview Auto Repair Centre Limited. This unit has
evolved and now counts most of the Irish insurers and fleet
management companies amongst its customers. Its work shop is
modern, complies with all environmental legislation and it
out puts quality work. The shop is based at Westlink
Business Park, Clondrinagh, Limerick.
In 2005 Ennis Road Motors completed a full new state of the
art showroom on its Ennis Road site and as part of that
development relocated its workshops and parts activity to
the new nearby Westlink Business Park, Clondrinagh where it
has state of the new modern facilities.
In
July 2007 the rental business acquired the former “Argus
Automobiles” car rental operation and merged it with its
own operation, the acquisition bought with it a team of
specialists experienced in the Corporate and VAN markets
particularly in Dublin upon which the company continues to
grow and add locations to the product offering.
In July 2008 the Group commenced operations as the National
Alamo franchisee, the Group is delighted to be operating
with such strong brand names in the global rental market and
to be able to offer the world wide services of these brands
to all of its exiting customers, along with welcoming the
new customers of National and Alamo to Ireland. |