The new jobs will increase the number of full-time employees at Connolly Motor Group to 335. The company will begin recruitment immediately.
The group, which is run by brothers Kevin and Neil Connolly, is one of the biggest motor groups in the country. The new MG dealership brings Connolly Motor Group’s total number of outlets to 16 with the company now representing 10 different franchises.
Connolly Motor Group already has Audi dealerships in Sligo, Ballina and Galway; Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Sligo and Galway; Volkswagen dealerships in Sligo, Ballina and Letterkenny as well as Volkswagen Commercial dealerships in all three centres. It also has Hyundai Galway, SEAT Sligo, Volvo Galway and CUPRA Sligo as well as running three used Car Centres in Ballina, Sligo and Galway.
With this latest appointment, Connolly Motor Group is taking on what is Europe’s fastest-growing car brand with the MG4 EV selected as The Irish Times Car of the Year 2023.
Connolly’s will have responsibility for MG Motor sales and after-sales services for the entire North West region – covering the counties of Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, and Leitrim.
As well as selling the brand-new models in the MG range, the company will be offering aftersales services to current MG drivers.
The new state-of-the-art dealership in Collooney is being developed in a building which had been standing vacant since the financial crisis with Connolly Motor Group investing €2 million to rescue the building from a derelict condition and create a state-of-the-art dealership.
The showrooms will have space to display up to six cars which will be a range of hybrid and fully electric models. The premises will also house a customer reception and individual sales offices.
The facility will also have a five-bay workshop featuring the latest diagnostic equipment.
Co-owner and Director of Connolly Motor Group Neil Connolly said: “We are delighted to be appointed to represent a brand such as MG. The creation of another 15 new full-time jobs in Sligo is a source of pride for Kevin and I as we expand the Connolly Motor Group in the North West. This is a fantastic market for the brand and its strategy of a full EV-focused range at market-leading price points which is incredibly attractive, all accompanied with a full seven-year warranty.”
Gerard Rice, Managing Director of MG Motor Ireland, said: “MG Ireland is delighted to welcome Connolly Motor Group as our latest partner to join the MG dealer network. Connolly’s MG is based in a prime location in Sligo and will be a key dealership for MG in the North West region. We are excited to work closely with the Connolly Motor Group which has an excellent reputation and is committed to serving MG customers in the North West with an exceptional standard of customer care. As the MG brand continues on our strong growth journey with affordable and stylish electric vehicles for everyone, we know it’s vital to partner with the right people which is why we have joined forces with Connolly’s MG.”