Published: Wednesday, 21st July, 2010 5:00pm

New business opens in these challenging times

Ian Smith with a 2008 Audi A4 2.0-litre Tdi, an example of the cars he is selling. This particular model has 143bhp and is capable of 50+mpg... and it qualifies for low road tax of €156.

When The Anglo-Celt called to Ian Smith Car Sales last Thursday, we met a happy couple who had just done a deal with him, and traded in their year 2000 BMW 3-series for a 2006 model. Their last car will make a brilliant buy for someone as it has low mileage for its year... but it is just one example of what Ian has to offer at his new business on the Dublin Road in Cavan town.

Ian has 30 years of experience in car sales ("I hate to admit it") and has seen many changes since he started with Jacksons Ford. While there Ian learned the sales trade from the famous Cavan footballer Phil Lightning Murray, and was mentored by the late Maurice Jackson, who he described as an absolute gentleman. He and Maurice set up Irish Car Auctions in Cavan, where Ian was manager for a number of years, and auctioneer for a time as well. The business is still going strong at its new premises on the Ballinagh Road.

The Blue Oval was the best selling manufacturer in Ireland at that time, with 28% of the market, before the Japanese brands became as strong as they are now. The Escort was the most popular model and the Fiesta - new to the market then - was being well received.

"The big change we've seen is the influx of new models," says Ian. "When I started Toyota and Nissan were only coming in to the country, now you have them, plus SsangYong, Chevrolet, Kia, Mitsubishi, Hyundai...

"In the good years bigger cars and 4x4s took over, that was a big change in the market place. In the later years, with the tax based on CO2, people are mostly looking for diesels, for the lower emissions and lower road tax."

Ian's experience includes 18 years with Nissan at Gilmore's in Kingscourt (six as sales manager), after which he moved to the Bradys Audi showroom in Cavan as sales manager. When Audi began to rationalise its dealer network (from 17 outlets to eight, in major centres), the Cavan one was closed and Ian found himself with an opportunity.

"From then I went out on my own," he says. "Under the circumstances I had to do something, so I decided to go it alone. What I'm doing now is new and pre-owned cars, vans, jeeps - everything. We intend importing good quality, clean, high specification models."

Ian's years of experience are extremely valuable, for there can be few others in Cavan that know as much about buying and selling cars. Call to him on the Dublin Road, opposite the Meadow View, and have a look at what he has available, or have a chat about the car you want - if he hasn't got it, he'll be able to find it for you.

Phone Ian on 049-4377788 or 087-2667939.