Under the chandeliers of the Clayton Hotel Dublin, more than 700 of Ireland’s most influential motor industry leaders gathered on Thursday, 19 February, for a night that celebrated craftsmanship, customer care and commercial excellence in equal measure.
Hosted by broadcaster Marty Whelan, the annual Society of the Irish Motor Industry Awards, held in partnership with Bank of Ireland, recognised the businesses and individuals steering the sector through one of the most transformative periods in its history.
Presenting the awards were SIMI Director General Brian Cooke and Vinny Coghlan, Head of Asset and Motor Finance at Bank of Ireland. The winners were selected by an independent adjudication panel across six categories, each designed to spotlight operational excellence and best practice across the breadth of Ireland’s motor industry.
This year’s category winners reflect both regional strength and sector-wide professionalism:
Collision Experts Galway East claimed Bodyshop of the Year, while Cartow.ie, Dublin, was named Vehicle Recovery Operator of the Year. Ashford Motors, Wicklow, secured Independent Sales Operation of the Year, with Service Stop Ltd, Dublin, taking Independent Aftersales Operation of the Year honours. Fitzpatrick’s Garage, Kildare, emerged as a standout performer, winning Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year, while Fitzpatrick’s Garage Mercedes-Benz, Kildare, captured Franchised Sales Operation of the Year.
SIMI President Mark Woods congratulated the winners and nominees, paying tribute to the “wide, diverse, and wonderful businesses” that make up the Irish Motor Industry. His remarks reflected both pride and pragmatism, acknowledging the sector’s resilience as it navigates seismic change.
“The automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic transformation,” Woods told attendees. “The shift to battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles is an exciting moment for our sector. Change on this scale brings increased costs, new regulatory demands, and a different way of doing business. This decarbonisation transition will be delivered through a combination of technologies: electric and hybrid vehicles, low-carbon fuels, and ongoing efficiency improvements across the entire fleet.”
He emphasised that managing the transition will require coordinated action between policymakers, infrastructure providers, energy suppliers and industry stakeholders to ensure emissions continue to fall while mobility remains affordable and accessible.
Alongside the SIMI honours, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland announced its regional ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year winners, recognising leadership in the promotion and sale of electric vehicles.
Fred Kilmartin Ltd Co. Galway was named the Connacht winner, Fitzpatrick’s Garage, Naas, Co. Kildare, took top honours in Leinster, Nyhan Motors, Co. Cork, led the way in Munster, and Connolly’s Volkswagen Letterkenny Co. Donegal, claimed the Ulster title.
For Bank of Ireland, the evening also marked a milestone. Vinny Coghlan highlighted that 2026 represents the bank’s 10th year sponsoring the awards. “This event serves as a reminder of the relentless dedication to customer excellence shown across every stage of the motor customer journey in the industry,” he said. “Supporting the motor industry remains a key element of our strategy in Bank of Ireland, and we look forward to evolving and enhancing our customer journey to meet the needs of this dynamic sector.”
As Ireland’s motor industry accelerates toward electrification and lower-carbon mobility, the awards ceremony offered more than celebration. It underscored a sector in motion, balancing tradition with innovation, and proving that excellence in service, sales and aftersales remains the engine that keeps the entire ecosystem moving forward.
