The finalists for the 2026 Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards (NIMIA), in partnership with headline sponsor Used Cars NI, have officially been revealed.

Now in its fourth year, the prestigious awards celebrate the exceptional talent, innovation, and achievements of individuals and businesses across Northern Ireland’s automotive sector. Following a record-breaking response with over 115 entries, finalists have been shortlisted across 22 categories following a rigorous judging process overseen by an independent panel led by Sandy Burgess FIMI, CCO of AutoXtraPro.

Returning in 2026 is the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, presented every other year to recognise an individual for their outstanding contribution to the sector.

Reflecting on the calibre of this year’s entries, Sasha Jeffrey, Director of PR & Events at ASG and founder of the awards, said: “Every year we’re inspired by the quality of the entries across Northern Ireland’s motor industry. This year was no exception – the level of passion, dedication, and operational excellence showcased by this year’s finalists is a true testament to the strength of our local automotive sector.”

Head Judge Sandy Burgess added: “The calibre of entries made our job as judges incredibly tough this year. Selecting the finalists was no easy task given the outstanding level of commitment, leadership, and innovation displayed across every single entry. It has been a challenging process, but we are thrilled with the shortlist and cannot wait to gather together at the Crowne Plaza to celebrate the very best in the business on the night.”

Emma Marley, CEO of Used Cars NI and headline sponsor, commented: “The sheer quality of this year’s submissions reflects just how dynamic and resilient Northern Ireland’s automotive sector continues to be. Used Cars NI are immensely proud to support these awards and are looking forward to a fantastic gala evening celebrating all of our finalists.”

The Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards 2026 are proudly supported by Used Cars NI, AbbeyAutoline, Autoguard Warranties, Dealer in a Box, GSF Car Parts, Northridge Finance, PML Group, Purple Rock Logistics, Transport Training Services, Warranty Solutions Group, GardX, Enterprise Mobility, Momentum Warranties, Eskimo Lead Management, First Response Finance, Cool FM and EMaC.

The winners will be crowned at a gala black-tie ceremony taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast, on Friday 6th November 2026. Tables and individual tickets for the evening are available to reserve on the Awards website: nimotorindustryawards.com.

The finalists for the 2026 Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards

Dealer Group (Sponsor: Purple Rock)

SERE Motors
Shelbourne Motors

Franchised Dealer (Sponsor: Eskimo Lead Management)

Pat Kirk Ltd
Roadside (Garages) Limited
Saltmarine Cars

Large Independent Dealer (Sponsor: Warranty Solutions Group)

CarBrothersNI LTD
Family Cars NI
Fleetwise Ltd
K. Car Sales
iGen Autos Ltd
O’LOUGHLIN BROS
MB Motors

Medium Independent Dealer (Sponsor: First Response Finance)

CMC Car Sales
Derg Valley Autos
EMPIRE AUTOS NI
Hynes Motors
Magee Automotive
PG McGillion (Motors) Ltd
Pitstop Motors NI
Stephen Mawhinney Motors

Small Independent Dealer (Sponsor: Momentum Warranties)

Cobra Cars NI
Conor Dolan Motors Ltd
KCA Motors
Nolan Cars Ltd
She Shifts Automotive
Town & Country Cars
Velocity Motors

Used Vehicle Dealer (Sponsor: Dealer in a Box)

CarBrothersNI LTD
Family Cars NI LTD
iGen Autos Ltd
K. Car Sales
Magee Automotive
MB Motors
O’Loughlin Bros
Saltmarine Cars

EV Dealer (Sponsor: Enterprise Mobility)

Greg Mitchell Motors
SERE Motors
Shelbourne Motors

Leasing Company

Shelbourne Motors

Marketing Campaign (Sponsor: PML Group)

Greg Mitchell Motors
Hynes Motors
KCA Motors
Pat Kirk Ltd
O’Loughlin Bros
PG McGillion Motors
K. Car Sales
Saltmarine Cars
Shelbourne Motors

Customer Service (Independent)

CarBrothersNI LTD
Fusco Vehicle Sales
iGen Autos Ltd
K. Car Sales
MB MOTORS BALLYMENA LTD
O’Loughlin Bros
Stephen Mawhinney Motors

Customer Service (Franchised)

Pat Kirk Ltd
Roadside (Garages) Limited
SERE Motors

Community Campaign

Fusco Vehicle Sales
GSF Car Parts
K. Car Sales
KCA Motors
Pat Kirk Ltd

Employer Excellence

MB Motors
O’Loughlin Bros

Dealer Principal / General Manager (Sponsor: AbbeyAutoline)

Conal Patterson, Empire Autos NI
Gary Leckey, Velocity Motors
Greg Mitchell, Greg Mitchell Motors
Joshua Heron, Family Cars NI
Jakub Kulis, J.K. Car Sales
Malcolm Beattie, MB Motors
Bernard O’Loughlin, O’Loughlin Bros

Sales Manager

James Simpson, Desmond Motors
Robert Nosal, J.K. Car Sales
Stephen Hughes, MB Motors
Colin Hutton, Saltmarine Cars

After Sales Manager (Sponsor: EMaC)

Aimee McNeill, MB Motors
Gary Loughlin, Derg Valley Autos
Joanna McLean, O’Loughlin Bros

Sales Team (Sponsor: Cool FM)

CarBrothers NI
Fusco Vehicle Sales
Greg Mitchell Motors
K. Car Sales
MB MOTORS BALLYMENA LTD
O’Loughlin Bros
Saltmarine Cars – Used Car Sales Team
SERE Motors Belfast

Inspirational Female (Sponsor: Northridge Finance)

Cliona Devenney, C2 Auto Sales
Emma Leitch, Greg Mitchell Motors
Joanna McLean, O’Loughlin Bros
Kerrie Mackle, Fleetwise Ltd
Rachel Murray, Paint by Rach
Sian Curley, She Shifts Automotive
Sophie McDonald, Sophie’s Automotive

After Sales Team (Sponsor: Autoguard Warranties)

Cannon Motors Ltd
Desmond Motors
Roadside Garages
SMD Commercials

Automotive Technician (Sponsor: Transport Training Services)

Cathal Cowan, The Car Nerd Limited
Jonathan Jack, PG McGillion Motors
Nathan Stewart, Fleetwise Ltd
Ryan Caldwell, Greg Mitchell Motors
Sandijs Malkalns, J.K. Car Sales

Rising Star (Sponsor: Northridge Finance)

Ben O’Loughlin, O’Loughlin Bros
Ben Rushe, EMPIRE AUTOS NI
Christopher Hynes, Hynes Motors
Jakub Choma, J.K. Car Sales
Nicola McNally, PG McGillion Motors
Toby Cowan, Magee Automotive

Apprentice (Sponsor: GSF Car Parts)

Jack Harvison, The NI Bodystop
Shea Omeara, Shelbourne Motors

(Note: The recipient of Category 23, the Lifetime Achievement Award, is selected directly by the independent judging panel and will be revealed during the event).