A dealership with a difference

McConnell Bros Ltd. is a family-run operation that has been active in Waterford city since 1928, holding a Toyota main dealership since 1973. Today the business is owned and managed by brothers Bill and Hugh McConnell. From stunning, state-of-the-art premises on the Cork Road, McConnell Bros provides its growing base of satisfied customers with a super service, including some novel touches…

In November 1999, McConnell Bros relocated to stunning premises on Waterford's Cork Road

McConnell Bros in Waterford city has certainly come a long, long way since it was established by John and Ernest McConnell almost 80 years ago. Today, the business is fronted by Ernie’s sons Bill and Hugh, who boast a wealth of experience of the motor trade as they’ve been working in the family business for 40 years already. You could say the joint-MDs were born to do this; little surprise therefore that they are doing a wonderful job of steering the family business onwards and upwards!

Having relocated from the original family home site in November 1999, the Toyota main dealer for Waterford provides an unrivalled service, employing a team of 30 from its exquisite premises on what’s widely known as ‘The Motor Mile’ on Waterford’s Cork Road. “We’re in a great location. There are 14 garages here, offering all the various dealerships within half a mile of each other. The location is an advertisement in itself,” says Bill.

McConnell Bros Ltd salesman Len Power

As well as the undoubted strength of the Toyota brand, McConnell Bros also offers its customers a couple of exclusive services. “We’re very big into body repairs,” Bill notes. “We’ve built an extension onto our body shop this year and we employ a team of seven panel beaters. We have been approved as a repairer by a number of leading insurance companies, including Axa, PMPA, Hibernian, Church & General, Allianz and others. We see this as a strong endorsement of our work and an assurance to our customers. Anybody can do mechanical work, but not everybody will be able to sort out your body problems. This has become a big aspect of the business.”

Indeed, McConnell Bros excels in this field and their reputation for excellence now precedes them. The Waterford dealer’s body repair technicians have been trained to the highest standards and their excellence has been recognised from a number of different sources. For example, McConnell Bros’ chief body technician won the bronze award at the first Toyota European Body Technicians Skills Award Grand Prix.

Don Whelan is on hand to field any sales queries

Another thing that separates McConnell Bros from the competition is that they carry out all their own used car/van preparations in-house, including valeting, servicing and all bodywork. “Our presentation of used vehicles is way above average,” Bill confirms. “I would contend that we have a unique selling point on used cars and vans. Firstly, they are well prepared. Secondly, they are guaranteed better as Toyota offers a superior guarantee. And thirdly, we are very selective when it comes to picking our cars and vans. Over 30% of the cars we take in never find their way to the forecourt because they don’t meet our high standards. We only sell vehicles that are worth buying.”

Regarding commercials specifically, the co-director explains: “We always carry a very large selection of Toyota and non-Toyota commercials, particularly jeeps. Toyota’s biggest-selling commercial is the Landcruiser and we usually have a strong demand for that. We don’t treat our commercials as some sort of afterthought. They aren’t pushed into the back of the showroom. Both aspects of the business are integrated and treated equally.

“We provide a superb level of service to both passenger and commercial vehicle users and we don’t restrict this to Toyota drivers. If you are driving a Ford or anything else, we will look after the bodywork, regardless of make or model. If any vehicle takes a wallop, we have the capacity to fix it up. We’ll get the work done as quickly as possible and we’ll also find a replacement while it’s being completed. Insurance companies have very high standards and we meet those every time.”

The Landcruser is a high-performing 4 x 4 from Toyota

Using specialist tools and equipments, a factory-trained team of technicians is on hand to take care of your Toyota car or commercial vehicle. The on-site body repair facility can tackle large or small jobs, finishing them to factory-approved standards. McConnell Bros’ parts department supplies genuine Toyota parts and accessories without any delay. Items not in stock are normally available on overnight delivery from Toyota's main warehouse in Dublin.
A small fleet of replacement cars and vans is available to customers while the work is being carried out.
The impressive Toyota commercial range comprises the Dyna, Hiace and Hilux.

The Hilux is Toyota's second best-selling model worldwide

The hard-working, spacious Dyna boasts a number of advantages over competing light trucks, ranging from increased load-carrying capacity to easier engine access. The cabin had a particularly large windscreen for improved visibility, safety and driver comfort/convenience. The deck of the Dyna 100 pick-up is completely flat to accommodate greater load while a number of extras are included in the design for increased ease of loading/unloading.

The legendary Hiace is a byword for economy. The most famous name in LGVs in Ireland, the Hiace represents superb value via low running costs, long service intervals, outstanding reliability and remarkable fuel economy. This quality commercial vehicle offers peace of mind above all else. It will get the job done without placing unnecessary strain on the operator’s pocket.
Toyota’s second best-selling model worldwide, the Hilux was launched in 1967 and its sixth generation was unveiled in 2005. The model enjoyed an 87% increase in sales last year. Strong, versatile and dependable, the Hilux offers limitless possibilities. This year, Toyota has announced substantial engine and specification upgrades to the Hilux range, including the introduction of a high performance 3.0Litre D-4D engine with 171 DINhp, a new automatic transmission, and greater off-road capability with on-road comfort and refinement.

The Toyota Hiace has achieved legendery status amongst commercial users

The Landcruiser and Rav 4 make up the Toyota 4x4 range. The latter is Europe's most popular 4x4.
In 2006, Toyota was the fastest growing car brand in France, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece. Toyota was the market leader in seven European countries, including Ireland. Toyota Ireland sold 30,589 passenger and commercial vehicles in 2006.
McConnell Bros is fully up to date with regards to IT and can provide on-line estimates. Business manager Valerie Reidy is always available to arrange financing and customers are made to feel at home in a spacious state-of-the-art facility manned by friendly reception staff and knowledgeable technicians and sales executives.

McConnell Bros Ltd.,
Waterford Business Park,
Cork Road,
Waterford.
Phone: (051) 874037
Fax: (051) 841690
http://www.mcconnellbros.ie