What's the news?
BMW Ireland has announced it is investing €37 million on nationwide dealer facilities to support its expansion of the electrified 'i' range of products.
The huge injection of cash will see 120 new jobs created in the dealer network across the course of the next 18 months, allowing all Irish dealerships to sell and service models such as the i3, i8, all plug-in hybrid iPerformance models and new vehicles on the way, such as the iX3 and MINI Electric.
In more detail, three of the biggest retailers in the country see significant expansion and development. Frank Keane will 'substantially' expand its sales and service retail centres at Naas Road and Blackrock in South Dublin, to increase sales and service capacity, while it will also acquire new premises adjacent to its Naas Road location.
Colm Quinn will expand its operations with two new sales and service retail centres - one in Co. Sligo and one in Drogheda, Co. Louth - while Joe Duffy will move to a brand-new sales and service centre in Charlestown, next to its current North Road facility that's just off junction five of the M50.
Other retailers - Aherns, Bolands, Conlans, Donohoe and Morrison - will make substantial investments to upgrade facilities at their retail sites to incorporate BMW i brand operations, while Kearys of Cork, already a BMW i Agent, will boost its BMW Motorrad division. BMW Ireland has also pledged to continue its 'long-standing relationship' with Martin Reilly, which will continue a servicing relationship as an authorised repair centre.
Recruitment for the 120 new roles - which will be spread across all fields of BMW's business - will take place through the website www.BMW.ie/careers.
Anything else?
Paulo Alves, managing director of BMW Group Ireland, said: "We were the first premium brand to make a clear commitment to electric mobility, we currently have the widest range with nine electrified vehicles and this will grow to 25 models by 2025. The expansion of BMW i operations and the significant financial investments by our Irish retail network is a clear commitment to meet the future demands of our customers. It means that we are well positioned to capitalise on our ground-breaking efforts to transform individual mobility, in line with BMW Group's overall global strategy, Number One > Next."