Third of car dealerships ‘at risk’

A third of all car dealerships could be in danger of collapse, according to a survey of the industry.

The probe — of nearly 2,300 companies in the motor trade — undertaken by business intelligence provider, Vision-net, found that 33% were showing signs of business failure, with another 18% at medium risk of collapse. Almost half (49%) however were deemed to be at a low risk of failure.

However, Alan Nolan, the director general of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) accused Vision-net of engaging in a cynical marketing exercise that could damage car retailers during an important sales period.