The start of a new year traditionally signalled the busiest time of year for the motor trade in Ireland, but as COVID-19 cases continue to spiral out of control, a nationwide lockdown with 'Level 5 restrictions' sees most of the country's businesses shut. In line with government guidelines, Volkswagen Group Ireland has announced that its retailers, comprising Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, will mostly continue to operate to provide for the repair and maintenance of vehicles, with obvious protocols in places regarding public health measures.
A Click and Collect service will operate for most retailers
An extension of this will see retailers operate a Click and Collect service in relation to parts sales and logistics. The latter can include the collection of vehicle orders as per a statement released by Volkswagen Group Ireland, providing the safety of both retailer staff and customers can be met.
The full statement reads:
On Wednesday 30th December last, the Taoiseach announced that the entire country would move into "Level 5 restrictions" and this means that retailers that provide for the "repair and maintenance of mechanically propelled vehicles or bicycles and any related facilities (including tyre sales and repairs) are designated as essential retailers and consequently may remain open". Workshops can remain open, and parts sales and logistics will remain unaffected.
January is traditionally the busiest and most crucial month for car sales in Ireland and in 2020 accounted for 34.7 per cent of the year's annual sales. To ensure that this period can operate to some degree of normality, under the new restrictions, any retailers "that operate online can open to provide goods for collection" (i.e., offers a "click & collect" service).
Volkswagen Group Ireland retailers (comprising Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Skoda, SEAT and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles) will, for the most part, operate a "Click & Collect" Service and can accommodate most customer's individual wishes, with the safety of both retailer staff and customer alike of paramount importance.
With Ireland at a crucial and significant juncture in the fight against COVID-19, Volkswagen Group and its network of dealers have worked tirelessly to ensure that all services, whether essential maintenance or click and collect vehicle orders are provided in accordance with government guidelines.