Keeping Bandon motoring

The Kevin O’Leary Motor Group has a huge presence in the Munster area, with five outlets dotted throughout the province. Two of those outlets are located in Bandon where Jerry McSweeney is in charge of the town’s only DOE Test Centre

Jerry McSweeney is Service Manager of the Bandon DOE Test Centre

For more than 40 years, the Kevin O'Leary Group has been synonymous with motoring in Munster. From humble beginnings, the business has grown into a major concern and now has five outlets located throughout the region.

Kevin O'Leary opened his first retail outlet in the busy West Cork town of Bandon in 1963, selling used cars. Since then, he has opened further outlets in Douglas, Silversprings and Clonmel, as well as a second outlet in Bandon. The Group now employs 180 people and has an annual turnover of EUR75 million. It holds franchises for BMW, Mini, Honda, Opel, Nissan and SEAT.
The Bandon outlets are located at Irishtown and New Road, and are main dealers for Opel and Honda respectively. The Irishtown outlet also incorporates a DOE Test Centre and as service manager Jerry McSweeney proudly explains, it is the only facility of its kind in the Bandon area.

Pamela Cotter at work in the office

"We are the only DOE Test Centre in Bandon and have been so for the past 12 or 13 years," he says.
"Bandon has always been a strong motoring town and we are delighted to be able to provide this service to the local people. We have five highly qualified testers here in Irishtown and carry out testing mainly on light commercials and 4x4s. Our customers include small companies, delivery services and farmers."
According to Jerry, the Test Centre has never been so busy due to increased sales of light commercials and 4x4s, as well as changes to weight classifications.

"For whatever reason, there is a huge amount of light commercials and jeeps in the Bandon area, meaning we are always kept busy. The weight changes mean that there are now bigger vehicles in the light commercial category, so our range is much broader than it used to be.
"Another reason why there has been such a huge increase in business is due to the fact that testing is now carried out on an annual basis.
Until recently, it was carried out every two years," he adds.

The Kevin O'Leary Motor Group has a strong name throughout Munster and further afield

Jerry points out that each of the testers attend refresher courses regularly to keep up to speed with advances in technology. "The Department of Transport, through SIMI, provides refresher courses which our testers attend. It's very important to attend these courses as changes are happening at a rapid pace.
"Testing is now technology-based. In just a few short years, the laptop has replaced the spanner."
Under new Department of Transport regulations, DOE Test Centres are to be phased out by 2008 and replaced by VTN Test Centres, something which the Kevin O'Leary Motor Group is prepared for.

"We're ready for the changeover. VTN Test Centres are in line with new Department regulations and designs, and the equipment used is very high tech compared to the old testing system."
New car sales remain high within the Kevin O'Leary Motor Group, and Jerry attributes this to the premium service offered by the company at a competitive rate.
"Car sales aren't my area, but I know that this end of the business is going as strong as ever. We offer a top-class service and with six different dealerships, our customers are spoilt for choice," says Jerry, who has been employed by the company since 1982.

New and used Opel vans on display

"The Kevin O'Leary Motor Group has a strong name throughout Munster and people come from all over to buy new and used cars from us. Customers can also search our used cars database on our website - kolgroup.ie."
Kevin O'Leary Motor Group is a family-owned and managed business. Bandon man Kevin O'Leary continues to drive the business, while his sons John, who is based in Bandon, and Kevin, who is in Douglas, are directors of the company. Kevin's daughter Carol is project manager of the Group's dealer management system.

Another daughter, Clare, made headline news last year when she became the first Irish woman to successfully climb Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. By reaching the top of Mount Vinson in Antarctica last December, she completed the Seven Summit Challenge and thus became the first Irish woman to climb the highest mountains in each of the seven continents.
Five years after opening for business in 1963, Kevin O'Leary was appointed dealer for Opel in Bandon. In 1977, Kevin O'Leary Motor Group Douglas opened and was appointed main dealer for Nissan. Two years later, the Group's Hi-Line Leasing was established in Douglas, providing contract lease facilities to the corporate sector.

Hi-Line has been hugely successful, having built up an extensive client base throughout the country. Hi-Line Leasing is a member of The Vehicle Leasing Association of Ireland and is affiliated to The Society of Irish Motor Industry. Total independence from finance companies or motor manufacturers gives a flexible, cost-effective service. Kevin O'Leary undertakes to understand your requirements and tailor the service to meet your needs at a competitive and flexible lease rental. The Group aspires not only to earn your business but also to retain it with exceptional customer service.

Opel commercials have an excellent reputation

In 1985, Kevin O'Leary Motor Group Silversprings opened and within two years, it was appointed main dealer for BMW in Cork city and county. Also in 1987, the New Road, Bandon outlet was opened.
In 1995, the Group expanded into Tipperary with the opening of its Clonmel outlet which became an Opel dealer. In 2001, Kevin O'Leary Motor Group Silversprings was awarded the Mini franchise and two years later, the New Road, Bandon and Douglas outlets were appointed main dealers for Honda and SEAT respectively.

"The Kevin O'Leary Motor Group has gone from strength to strength over the past number of years and all the signs are that it will continue to expand and progress well into the future," Jerry concludes.