The LCV specialist

Grandons of Glanmire is a dedicated professional van centre. With dealerships for Fiat, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo and Isuzu light commercials, the County Cork based outlet is Ireland’s leading specialist in the sale and aftersales care of vans and light commercial vehicles. Irish Trucker decided to take a closer look.

Grandon�s is a thriving dealership

When it comes to vans and light commercials, nobody in Ireland can match the expertise and coverage provided by Grandons of Glanmire. A dedicated professional van sales centre, Grandons holds four prestigious dealerships – Fiat, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo and Isuzu – and is ideally positioned to meet the requirements of any customer seeking a commercial vehicle solution.

The team at Grandons boasts a wealth of experience and knowledge, ensuring that customers receive both a product and a service they can depend upon.
The business was established by managing directors Martin and Maria Grandon in 1975 and was quickly appointed a main dealer for Fiat cars and light commercials. The Alfa Romeo franchise for Cork city and county was granted in 1996 and Grandons became a main Peugeot dealer two years ago. At the start of the current calendar year, Isuzu light commercials came on board as the fourth high-profile dealership.

Martin Gandon established the company with Maria Grandon 21 years ago

As far as LCV dealers go, Grandons’ coverage is unrivalled. Customers would be spoiled for choice with Fiat and Peugeot alone. However, with four leading marques available, each offering a comprehensive range of models that can be tailored to meet any light commercial vehicle user’s needs, Grandons has a unique and refreshing presence in the market.

All four dealerships are performing exceptionally well, with impressive sales figures attained across the board this year already, not to mention a high level of positive customer feedback which reflects Grandons’ complete commitment to customer care. To ensure that prospective customers are catered for as thoroughly as possible - both before and after a deal is agreed - at least one of each model is available at the Glanmire premises for test drive at all times.

Fiat’s range of vans – the Ducato, Scudo, Doblò Cargo and Punto – is both expansive and practical, and these models are amongst the most sought-after by tradesmen and couriers today. The Fiat Doblò has been voted International Van of the Year for 2006, while both the Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer are past winners of the Irish Van of the Year award. Completing the impressive Peugeot LCV line-up are the 206 Van, Partner and Expert, all of which are excellent sellers.

Company Sales Director Ken Grandon

As the quality of vehicle being made available to the public continues to improve, Grandons is in a position to offer customers better value-for-money than ever before. As sales director Ken Grandon notes: “With technology improving all the time, we can offer better quality cars and light commercials, with more customer satisfaction and less downtime.”

Operating from a well-appointed 5.5 acre site in Glanmire, Grandons also stock a vast range of pre-owned cars and commercials, covering all makes and models. As well as a state-of-the-art workshop with fully-qualified and highly-motivated technicians (services include pre-NCT testing), Grandons also have a fully-stocked stores room replete with manufacturer-approved parts for all its main models. They also store parts for many other nearby dealers who don’t have such facilities at their disposal.

Some of the Fiat vehicles in stock

Pro-active in the marketplace, Grandons is a large and aggressive dealership with a large turnover of cars and vans. As well as sales, a rental option is also available. A large volume of trade assists the provision of value for money. By providing customers with the best products available as well as an unrivalled level of back-up service, the Cork company has built a customer base that covers the 32 counties, with long-term customers as far afield as Monaghan, Drogheda, Dublin and Kilkenny not to mention surrounding counties where business is brisk and efficient.

One of the tenets of the motor industry is that a customer will invariably return for business if you treat him/her with respect. To this end, Grandons have placed a keen emphasis on customer care since the business was conceived over three decades ago. For example, the most loyal customers are provided with a collection and delivery facility for servicing – free of charge, regardless of geographical location. Very few garages are prepared to make such commitments.

John Goold, part of the sales team, demonstrates a disabled driver fitting

By opening for business seven days a week, Grandons are always on hand to deal with customer queries and to offer advice on the capabilities of the various models available. With a new Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer imminent and the new Isuzu Trooper due in 2007, these are exciting times for Grandons.
The Glanmire van specialist has forged a remarkable history already and the future looks equally bright.