The Donnelly Group, claimed to be Northern Ireland’s biggest family-owned new and used vehicle retailer, has taken over Bangor-based Shaws Citroen.
This brings Donnelly’s dealer portfolio to nine sites and gives the company a presence in Bangor for the first time.
It plans to run the site as a duel franchise operation, as the company will start selling Hondas there from next month and also begin retailing Donnelly Motorstore-branded used vehicles. Shaws, which began trading in 1926, has run the site since 1988.
“There are many synergies between Shaws and the Donnelly Group that made this an attractive acquisition for the Group,” said Donnally Group managing director Dave Sheeran.
“Both are family businesses with a long history of customer excellence and like the Donnelly Group, Shaws has a strong and loyal customer base who will continue to be served by the same dedicated team,” he said.
Michael Shaw, who now becomes general sales manager at the Bangor site, welcomed the arrival of Honda vehicles and Donnelly’s approved used vehicles.
The Donnelly Group has a headcount of 750, sells an average of 18,000 cars annually and holds 18 vehicle franchises.