Northern Ireland Iveco Ford dealer Dencourt Trucks, in Newtownabbey, is
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changing its name. From 1 October it will be known as NI Trucks. The firm's ownership and management remain unchanged. The move is a consequence of the sale of Dencourt Motors, the company's car division. "We just wanted to avoid any confusion between the two," says managing director John McShannon.
NI Trucks takes over 12% of the 17 to 38-tonne market in Northern Ireland, and 40% of the 7.5 to 15-tonne sector. That's despite hard-fought trading conditions, McShannon says. "It's always been extremely competitive here, and continues to be so," he observes. "Every manufacturer is represented, but the total annual market is only 1,200 to 1,400 units."
"Daily is making its presence felt from a standing start," he says. "We've been putting the effort in, and we're very pleased with its performance."
However, sales of all 3.5-tonners are being affected by cheap vehicles sucked in from the Republic by the strength of sterling_ Dailys aren't coming in. but Ford Transits and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters certainly are, and at prices several hundred pounds below those usually charged in Northern Ireland, McShannon says. Car-derived vans are corning in too.
Happily, trucks aren't affected, McShannon says: "Hauliers tend to buy their vehicles from local dealers because they want to be sure that what they are getting is UK specification" NI Trucks also has a parts and service depot at Portadown. Sub-dealers have been appointed at Coleraine and Glaudy. McShannon's next step will be to develop second-hand sales. "We're putting our toe in the water, at the lighter end of the market, and we're on a learning curve," he says.