Northern Ireland Isuzu dealers John Barr Cars and Eakin Bros have had their new premises officially declared open when not one, but two, Isuzu Managing Directors flew in from European HQ in Germany and UK Head Office in England to launch new purpose built sites in Antrim and Maydown respectively. This is the first time that NI Isuzu dealers have had a visit from the Japanese Managing Director and underlines the importance placed by Isuzu in growing representation for the Brand through substantial investments in first class customer facilities.
Mikio Tsukui, Managing Director and CEO Isuzu Europe said “It is a great honour to have our dealers investing in their futures with Isuzu, both dealer operations are state of the art new build and located in prime locations with easy access to major road arteries. Both dealers are very highly regarded in our network; Eakin Bros have an outstanding 96 year pedigree, are third generation motor dealers and have represented Isuzu from the earliest days in the UK; John Barr Cars are a young company that have expanded rapidly and consistently with Isuzu and in a short time have outgrown each of their previous Isuzu locations in Dundrod and Crumlin through consistent high sales. They are each top class representatives for our Brand, and a pleasure to have within the global Isuzu family.
These dealers have planned and invested to take their businesses to the next level – it is a good news story in challenging times, and testament to the dealers’ abilities. Both are delivering great progress and it is my intention to ensure we keep building the best pick-ups in the market to send to their many loyal customers. Isuzu build only commercial vehicles, every Isuzu is designed to work as hard as their Northern Ireland owners do. We invest heavily in R&D and are very proud of our five year/125,000 miles warranty and reputation for reliability, and value for money. The UK is our biggest export market, it is very important for Isuzu Japan to maintain that strong position. We now supply several major fleets and utilities in Northern Ireland, these investments in bigger and better new locations will ensure that individual buyers and business customers each get the attention they expect, and deserve.
My mother grew up in Armagh, was educated in Dublin and she always told me what a beautiful island this is. She was right – your coastline and countryside are very beautiful, I have thoroughly enjoyed today’s visit. I would like to return and play a round of golf at Portrush, your links courses are very famous in Japan.”
UK Managing Director William Brown said “I’m personally delighted with this huge double leap forward. Customers old and new will benefit greatly from bigger and better facilities. It’s no exaggeration to say these new sites are the finest Isuzu dealers in Europe, all credit to each of our dealers. Of course our network is not just about glamorous buildings, and year after year John Barr Cars and Eakin Bros have won multiple Dealer of the Year awards in both Sales and Aftersales, by delivering good old fashioned customer service and thorough attention to detail in every aspect of their businesses.
Each business has great strength in depth with family actively involved daily in “hands on” roles. Isuzu place great faith in families and teamwork – teamwork is fundamental to the Japanese business ethic – the dealer network are our family in the UK, and customer satisfaction flows if we get relationships right. Isuzu UK differ from our competitors – we specialise in pick-ups, not cars; we don’t partner with the big faceless Motor Groups, nor overprice products to discount heavily later which destroys residual values and the customers’ investment. We build great pick-ups, fairly priced, and strong residual values for D-Max ensure the best Contract Hire rates in the industry.
Our dealership teams in sales and aftersales are all fully trained at the Isuzu Academy in Coventry – many here have over 40 years service – experience which brings huge dividends in customer satisfaction. Best in Class pick-up, now matched to Best in Class facilities in Antrim and Maydown. Like the Isuzu D-Max, it just works perfectly”.
Peter Eakin said “I’d like to thank Mr Tsukui and Mr Brown for coming here today to declare our new site officially open, it means so much to our staff, customers and the Eakin family. It is overwhelming to have Isuzu’s Japanese MD make the first ever visit to NI by a Japanese Director and speaks volumes about how important our market is to Isuzu. We are delighted to have Maydown fully operational, all are welcome to come in and view our new facilities and sample the range of services we have to offer. Isuzu build the finest pick-ups in the market and we are absolutely delighted to continue to be their sole representatives for Isuzu and their specialist Arctic Truck brand in the Northwest.”
John Barr said “Thank you to both Managing Directors for personally visiting together, my team worked late into the nights to ensure everything was ready and shipshape. The last few months have been a delight seeing all the plans come together, we are truly pleased to finally be operational in our new home opposite Junction 1 Retail Park in Antrim. Customers old and new are very welcome to come along and have a look round our facilities. The new site will service Antrim for Isuzu and Arctic Trucks, the next exciting chapter has been launched. Isuzu have just started shipping the completely new range flagship, D-Max XTR, and we look forward to having that in pride of place in our new showroom.”
