News: Ireland's first Toyota dealership hits 75
It seems to be that businesses are falling by the wayside every few minutes in these dark times of austerity, but there are a few, a select few, that have true longevity. How about one that began life as the dark clouds of war gathered over Europe, and has traded, survived and prospered through Cold War, moon landing, Haughey, Jack Charlton and Bertie? Well done Linders of Chapelizod, for hitting your 75th birthday.
To celebrate the auspicious 75 year milestone, Linders will be extending its 3 years free servicing deal and offering a minimum scrappage of €2,075 against new cars from Monday, 28th of January until Saturday, 12th of February. All customers will be entered into a draw to win the opportunity for a loved one living abroad to be flown home free of charge for the Gathering 2013.
“2013 is a proud year for the Linders family and team,” said Paul Linders, Dealer Principal, incoming President of SIMI and the third generation of the family involved in the business, having taken over from his father Joe in 2002. “The Linders name has been synonymous with quality in motoring for the last 75 years. Our longevity in the business is testament, not only to the loyal and talented team that we’ve been lucky enough to work with over the decades, but also to our extremely loyal customer base, and we’d like to thank everyone who has helped get to where we are today.
“Surviving in this current economic downturn is not easy, but we feel very fortunate to be a Toyota dealer, which with its phenomenal value, choice and continued status as a firm favourite with Irish motorists, puts us in a strong position for continued success in 2013.We’ve already seen great interest in the new 131 plate and Toyota has some phenomenal new cars coming through this year, including the already available new generation Auris and Auris Hybrid, and the new Yaris Hybrid – Ireland’s first B segment full hybrid. Toyota will also soon be launching a new generation Rav 4, Verso and a Prius 7-seater, all of which amount to even further choice and value on offer to our customers than ever before.”
Started by Sonny Linders in Smithfield in 1938, Linders began as a service repair garage and the business developed into a dealership selling Austin, Commer, Hillman, Morris and Fiat brands. In 1973 Linders became the first appointed Toyota dealer in Ireland. Since then, Sonny, his sons Joe and Patrick, and his grandson Paul, have successfully expanded the business and moved to a new location in Chapelizod in 2002.
According to Paul Linders, “Most of Dublin knew my Granddad as “Sonny Linders”. My earliest memories of him are of walking with him down the market in Smithfield. It used to take ages because everyone knew him and he’d stop and talk with everyone we met. He loved the business and all the people in it and worked tirelessly every day until the day he died. Even today, one of my favourite things is hearing stories about him and meeting Dubliners who bought their first car from him. I’m very proud of the fact that many of those families still come to us to buy and service their cars today.
“A portrait of my Granddad hangs in our offices keeping an eye on things even still. I know he’s proud of what we have become in Chapelizod and the direction in which the business is going. He taught me to always try to improve, to look at things from the customers point of view and most importantly, never to take no for an answer, unless it came from him!”
“Surviving in this current economic downturn is not easy, but we feel very fortunate to be a Toyota dealer, which with its phenomenal value, choice and continued status as a firm favourite with Irish motorists, puts us in a strong position for continued success in 2013.We’ve already seen great interest in the new 131 plate and Toyota has some phenomenal new cars coming through this year, including the already available new generation Auris and Auris Hybrid, and the new Yaris Hybrid – Ireland’s first B segment full hybrid. Toyota will also soon be launching a new generation Rav 4, Verso and a Prius 7-seater, all of which amount to even further choice and value on offer to our customers than ever before.”
Started by Sonny Linders in Smithfield in 1938, Linders began as a service repair garage and the business developed into a dealership selling Austin, Commer, Hillman, Morris and Fiat brands. In 1973 Linders became the first appointed Toyota dealer in Ireland. Since then, Sonny, his sons Joe and Patrick, and his grandson Paul, have successfully expanded the business and moved to a new location in Chapelizod in 2002.
According to Paul Linders, “Most of Dublin knew my Granddad as “Sonny Linders”. My earliest memories of him are of walking with him down the market in Smithfield. It used to take ages because everyone knew him and he’d stop and talk with everyone we met. He loved the business and all the people in it and worked tirelessly every day until the day he died. Even today, one of my favourite things is hearing stories about him and meeting Dubliners who bought their first car from him. I’m very proud of the fact that many of those families still come to us to buy and service their cars today.
“A portrait of my Granddad hangs in our offices keeping an eye on things even still. I know he’s proud of what we have become in Chapelizod and the direction in which the business is going. He taught me to always try to improve, to look at things from the customers point of view and most importantly, never to take no for an answer, unless it came from him!”
