Connolly�s crusade

LCV sales, service and repairs specialist Paddy Connolly of Naas Light Commercials Ltd is looking forward to a very busy 2005. John Loughran dropped in on the Isuzu and Kia main dealer and discovered the source of his optimism.

The company�s well-apportioned premises

Paddy Connolly established Naas Light Commercials Ltd in 1998. At the height of the economic boom, it was an opportune time to get into the LCV sales, service and repairs market.

Representing a quality LCV brand such as Isuzu and an up and coming car / LCV brand like Kia, are key ingredients in the company’s ongoing success. But there is a whole lot more to this thriving business than quality brands.

Paddy knew the Isuzu brand intimately, having spent eight years in sales with the Harris Group. So when he decided to go out on his own, he only ever considered one marque.
“I knew the product inside out. I had and I still have great faith in Isuzu. They are extremely reliable right across the range, have a good resale value and are competitively priced,” he remarked

The affable Paddy Connolly

“The D-Max and the N Series are quality vehicles, which is important. The Trooper is near the end of its product life, but it still a great seller. I don’t know how Isuzu will replace it, when they finally phase it out,” he opined.
The D-Max Crew Cab has taken the market by storm in recent times. “ Two models are doing extremely well for us because of their engine size (three litre), cabin capacity and driving comfort. The Special Edition Cobra is flying out of the showroom,” he confirmed.

The N Series from 3.5 to 7.5 tonne is performing equally well, according to Paddy. “There are numerous variants within the range. They are an extremely popular seller. As with all Isuzu vehicles, they are very reliable. We are making sales right across the range.”

Ready for the road

Isuzu’s legendary warranty package and 24-hour break down service are strong selling points according to Paddy. “Isuzu would stand on their heads to support their dealers. It gives us the confidence to get out there and sell the product, knowing that in the unlikely event of a problem, the back-up is always there,” he added.

Such is the diversity within the range, the N Series can be fitted with a plethora of body types including: tippers, boxes, curtainsiders, fridges etc. “In the vast majority of cases the customer is looking for the finished article. Monread Truck Bodies, who are located beside us, do all our bodies. They have been established for many years and are highly regarded in the trade,” he revealed.

Paddy explained that the fitting service can be tailored to meet individual customer requirements. “We always sit down with the customer and go through heights, widths, materials etc until we come up with the exact body to suit the customer.”

Christy Noonan of Naas Light Commercials

To complement the company’s extensive sales activities Naas Light Commercials also has a fully equipped workshop and spare parts department and also offers a highly efficient and friendly valet service.
At the time of writing, (mid December) the company had just completed a major revamp of its showrooms. “When we started out originally, we only had the yard. We have been making continuous improvements to our facilities ever since,” he elaborated.

Naas Commercials’ second marque the Kia is also performing extremely well for the company. “In the commercial range we have the Sorento jeep, which is a great seller. We also have a little one-litre petrol van called the Picanto. We also have the Rio (1.3 litre petrol) and the Sedona (2.9 litre diesel). They are selling in big numbers right across the range,” he enthused.

The D-Max crew cab

“In 2004 we doubled our sales right across the range including cars and we won ‘Dealer of the Year’ for Ireland, which I think is a great achievement for a small company like ourselves,” he purred.
He continued: “People are beginning to sit up and take notice of the Kia range. Manufactured in Korea, they are extremely reliable, come with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty across the range (including commercials). They also come with free RAC membership for three years. They are without doubt the brand of the future.”

The heady days of 2000, when LCV sales hit records highs, have come and gone, but Naas Light Commercials still continues on its own upward trajectory. Paddy’s secret to success is simple – he listens to his customers, has time to spend with them and is totally customer focused in all he does.

At Naas Light Commercials, the emphasis is on people. The company’s highly experienced and friendly staff are prepared to go the extra mile for the customer in all aspects of the business from initial inquiry right through to after-care.
“We are not your average motor dealer. We treat the customer more like a friend. We spend time with people and have time for everybody,” he commented.

He added: “We have a brilliant team here. You are only as good as the team around you. We have a young, energetic and friendly team that pulls together to work on behalf of the customer. We work as a unit.”

Paddy is acutely aware of the individual requirements of his burgeoning LCV base. To that end the company prides itself on offering exceptional levels of customer service tailored with the LCV customer in mind.
He commented: “We pride ourselves on service. If you are not supplying the service, you won’t be doing business with the customer the next time, he is in the market for a vehicle.”

He added: “Price might sell the first vehicle but service will sell the second and subsequent vehicles. This game is all about looking after the customer.”
In keeping with this customer ethos, the company also offers contract hire and other finance facilities. “Contract hire is becoming increasingly popular with our commercial customers. Many of them are opting for the full maintenance package,” he stated.

The company is reaping significant dividends from this simple philosophy. Many of its Isuzu customers are now opting for Kia for their car requirements. “A lot of our commercial customers on the Isuzu side would be coming to us for their car requirements. They know the level of service they are going to get from us. When they see the Kia range, they are more than happy to do business with us,”

In that respect Paddy believes the two brands fit snugly together. “They are running side by side. They complement each other and we are delighted to have both brands on the forecourt,” he enthused.