General Abarth dealerships in Northern Ireland

[loveshandbags]

On a 'tip off' from Grimwau I've made some enquiries 'up North' about the 'low down' on the new proposed Abarth dealerships on the island.

http://www.donnellygroup.co.uk/Company/AboutUs/NewsAndEvents/DonnellyGroupExpanding.aspx

From a phone call today there will have a showroom opening up in Mallusk (a few miles North of Belfast) on the 1st of July, with Dungannon, Eglinton and Enniskillen next on the 'list' if we can all keep our heads above water.
The service department with be 'open for business' on servicing the Abarths from the 1st of August. Apparently their technicans are in training at the moment.

There's a peculiar quirk in the Abarth warranties for Emerald owners. The first 2 years is covered by Fiat but the 3rd dealer based warranty is null and void once the car 'leaves the country'. I need to check if there includes crossing the 'border'.

 

[simer]

Good to see an Abarth dealer at last although it looks like Donnellys have the entire Fiat network now, with not much coverage for Co Down where my Mum needs a Fiat dealer

 

[loveshandbags]

Good to see an Abarth dealer at last although it looks like Donnellys have the entire Fiat network now, with not much coverage for Co Down where my Mum needs a Fiat dealer

I was in Mallusk yesterday and from speaking with Terence and his service manager Andrew Kyle - they were thrilled about being the first Abarth dealer in Ireland to get a licence to operate. There were very hospitable and very generous with their time. They expect to be open for business on the 1st of August. Terence gave my brother and I a tour of the new showrooms which are close to completion. It was quite an experience to see what went into a fit-out what with the tarmacadam that's put indoors ! and the special designed Abarth bay for getting the cars serviced.

They will have 6 Abarth cars in with 2 additional 695s (one in blue) on order. Of the 6 Abarths 2 will be A500Cs but 3 of the cars will be on demo (as per the 'rules'). In the showroom you will have Alfa & Fiat but no Chrysler.