What's the news?
Kearys Motors, one of Ireland's largest motor groups, has been officially appointed as the exclusive agent to supply BMW i models in the Munster region. It is only the second BMW i dealer to be appointed in Ireland, after Joe Duffy BMW, and will play a key role for the BMW network in what is a very important region.
Cork has already made strides to promote the use of electric vehicles and was the first county council to penalise the occupation of designated electric vehicle charging points by non-electric vehicles.
The Kearys premises at Little Island, Cork, now has a dedicated BMW i showroom along with a specialist aftersales team. It will sell both the BMW i3 and BMW i8 along with future models as they come on stream.
Commenting on the announcement, Bill Keary, Dealer Principal at Kearys BMW, said: We are thrilled to have been chosen by BMW as its exclusive dealer agent for the BMW i range of electric vehicles in Munster. The range is a class apart in terms of its focus on efficient innovation, visionary design and sustainable performance and we've already been inundated with customers enquiring about the BMW i range. The buzz around pre-orders is very encouraging."
He went on to say: "2015 is proving to be the year of the electric vehicle and as the largest specialist supplier of electric vehicles in Cork city and county, we've seen a measurable increase in the volume of our EV sales and enquiries since the launch of Drive4Zero initiative last year. Car buyers are now more discerning than ever and they realize the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle including low running costs, impressive range, free parking and tolls and of course, the different Government grants that are now readily available for electric vehicle motorists. Everybody connected with the Drive4Zero initiative is aiming for Cork to become the 'Green Capital' of Europe and we're hugely excited by the potential of BMW i range in helping our efforts to be crowned European Green Capital in 2017."
Anything else?
Also present at the official announcement was Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence, and well-know supporter of electric vehicles. Minister Coveney is also the ambassador for Cork's Drive4Zero pilot programme, and he said: "While it's an obvious boost for Kearys to be named as an exclusive agent for one of the most sought after range of EVs in the world, it's also a boost for Cork in its Drive4Zero campaign. I'm really encouraged by the growing popularity and excitement that surrounds EVs and I think their improved design and performance is certainly helping to encourage more people to consider making the move to electric cars. It's encouraging also that customers are educating themselves more on the many benefits and incentives of running an electric vehicle and this augurs well for the continued success of our Drive4Zero campaign. I wish Kearys huge success in their venture with BMW i and I look forward to seeing more EVs in Cork and the wider region on the back of today's news."