The Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards, sponsored by UsedCarsNI, has announced the shortlisted finalists for its 2024 awards.

A total of 40 of Northern Ireland’s leading motoring businesses and professionals have been selected as finalists across 21 prestigious categories that acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the local automotive industry.

This year saw record-breaking participation, with new and used car dealerships, leasing operations, vehicle maintenance and repair specialists, and automotive part suppliers submitting 148 entries—a remarkable 42% increase from last year’s awards.

An independent judging panel of experts rigorously reviewed each entry, carefully selecting the finalists who truly represent the very best of the local automotive industry.

The finalists will now compete for top honours at the highly anticipated gala awards ceremony set to take place on Thursday 7th November 2024 at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast.

Shelbourne Motors leads the shortlist with 15 entries (including Fleet4U), closely followed by JRC Cars with 14. Saltmarine Cars comes in next with 9 entries, followed by MB Motors with 8 entries and SERE Motors with 7 entries. Roadside Garages and TrustFord both secured 5 entries.

This year’s awards will also feature a special Lifetime Achievement Award, decided solely by the judging panel, which will be revealed at the gala awards ceremony to honour an individual who has made an exceptional and lasting impact on the local automotive industry.

Sasha Jeffrey, Director of PR & Events at ASG & Partners said: “The remarkable level of participation highlights just how competitive the Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards has become. The quality of entries we received was nothing short of exceptional, making the judging process both challenging and inspiring for our independent judging panel.

“We’re now shifting into gear as we finalise preparations for the gala awards ceremony, and we’re anticipating another incredible night where the entire industry will come together to celebrate the outstanding contributions and successes of Northern Ireland’s automotive sector.

Emma Marley, Chief Operating Officer at Used Cars NI said: “We are incredibly grateful to see so many colleagues from across the local automotive industry enter this year’s Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards. The sheer quality of the entries has demonstrated the competitive nature of these awards and showcased the remarkable breadth of talent and excellence across our local automotive sector. We’re proud to support an event that celebrates such outstanding achievements, and we look forward to an exciting and well-deserved night of celebration at the gala awards ceremony.”

[Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards 2024 Shortlisted Finalists]

Dealer Group sponsored by TradeBid

Charles Hurst

Pat Kirk

SERE Motors

Shelbourne Motors

TrustFord

Franchise Dealer sponsored by AutoKleen

JC Halliday & Sons

Pat Kirk

Roadside Garages Limited

Saltmarine Cars

TrustFord

Large Independent Dealer (over 50 vehicles) sponsored by CarMoney

Autozone Cars

Comiskey Motors

Fleetwise

Fusco Vehicle Sales

JRC Cars

MB Motors

Medium Independent Dealer (50 vehicles or fewer) sponsored by Codeweavers

iGen Autos

J.K. CAR SALES

K2 Cars

NI Car Sales

Pitstop Motors

Spratt Vehicle Solutions

Small Independent Dealer (25 vehicles or fewer) sponsored by Loanitt

AC Motors Direct

Giraffe Cars

JD Cars

J&J Motors NI

Martin McAleenan Motors

The Car Company

Used Vehicle Dealer sponsored by AbbeyAutoline

Comiskey Motors

Fleetwise

Fusco Vehicle Sales

iGen Autos

J.K. Car Sales

JRC Cars

EV Dealer sponsored by Eskimo Lead Management

Charles Hurst

JC Halliday & Sons

Roadside Garages

Saltmarine Cars

SERE Motors

Shelbourne Motors

Best Leasing Operation

Fleet Financial

Fleet4U

Radius Vehicle Solutions

Best Customer Service sponsored by MotoNova Finance

J.K. Cars Sales

MB Motors

Roadside Garages

Saltmarine Cars

SERE Motors

TrustFord

Best Marketing Campaign sponsored by PML Group

Charles Hurst

Giraffe Cars

JRC Cars

MB Motors

Saltmarine Cars

Shelbourne Motors

Best Community Campaign sponsored by DSG Connecte

Fusco Vehicle Sales

JRC Cars

MB Motors

Roadside Garages

Shelbourne Motors

TrustFord

Best Employer Excellence sponsored by Phyron

JRC Cars

MB Motors

Saltmarine Cars

TrustFord

Dealer Principal / General Manager sponsored by AbbeyAutoline

Malcolm Beattie – MB Motors

Marc Bunting – Shelbourne Motors

Adam Bustard – Top Gear Motors

Jonny Cubitt – JRC Cars

Michael McCartan – Shelbourne Motors

Sales Manager sponsored by Warranty Solutions Group

Brian Carters – Monaghan Brothers

Gerard Crossin – SERE Motors

Declan McAlinden – NI Car Sales

David McCaughey – Roy Hanna Motors

David Neill – Shelbourne Motors

Neill Thompson – JRC Cars

After Sales Manager sponsored by EMaC

David Armstrong – Shelbourne Motors

Jonny Cubitt – JRC Cars

Glenn Gilfillan – Top Gear Motors

Aimee McNeill – MB Motors

Darren Meehan – Saltmarine Cars

Sales Team sponsored by Cool FM

MB Motors

Pat Kirk

Roy Hanna Motors

Saltmarine Cars

SERE Motors

Shelbourne Motors Renault (Portadown)

Inspirational Female sponsored by Close Brothers Motor Finance

Laura Nugent-Cowan – Top Gear Tuning Northern Ireland

Amanda Mills – MH Motors

Rachel Murray – PBR Automotive

Shanice Murray – Pat Kirk

Alice McCaughern – JRC Cars

Pauline McKeating – MBNI

After Sales Team sponsored by Autoguard Warranties

JRC Cars

Roadside Garages

SERE Motors

Shelbourne Motors

Automotive Technician sponsored by Transport Training Services

Gareth Atkinson – Shelbourne Motors

Cathal Cowan – The Car Nerd

Gary Dodds – Auto Clinic Automotive

Adrian Gorczyca – Saltmarine Cars

Chris Laverty – JRC Cars

Apprentice sponsored by Momentum Warranties

Tommy Brown – MB Motors

Richard Henry – JRC Cars

Matthew Leeman – The Car Nerd

Jake Nelson – Shelbourne Motors

Jamie Reid – Autobits Motorstore

Darren Wilson – JRC Cars

Rising Star sponsored by Northridge Finance

Cathal Cowan – The Card Nerd

Patricia McMahon – Saltmarine Cars

Kyle Purdy – Shelbourne Motors

Michael Steele – JRC Cars

Ryan Stuart – SERE Motors

The independent judging panel of the 2024 Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards is chaired by Sandy Burgess, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Motor Trade Association.

The panel of esteemed industry leaders will also include Vic Covey, former Director of The Scottish Motor Racing Club and Fellow of The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) and Martin Hutchinson, former Chief Executive of Transport Training Services and Sector Skills representative for the NI Retail Motor Industry.

Joining Used Cars NI in supporting the 2024 Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards as category sponsors and partners are AbbeyAutoline, Autoguard Warranties, Autokleen, Brian Thompson Photography, CarMoney, City Auction Group and Purple Rock, Close Brothers, Codeweavers, Cool FM, DSG Connected, EMaC, Eskimo Lead Management, GardX, Loanitt, Momentum Warranties, MotoNovo Finance, MotorCheck, Northridge Finance, Phyron, PML Group, TradeBid, Transport Training Services and Warranty Solutions Group.