NISSAN/J&S AUTOMOTIVE DUBLIN

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WITH Nissan’s Irish headquarters barely a stone’s throw away, it’s not surprising that J&S Automotive features the manufacturer’s products exclusively in its fleet. But according to Gareth Fitzpatrick, Warehouse and Logistics Manager for the leading automotive parts distributor, proximity isn’t the reason; rather the vehicles’ toughness, reliability and value for money. “Basically we find Nissan’s vans to be very good,” says Gareth. “Our vehicles have to do heavy mileage, to all corners of Ireland. We need them to be reliable as they work day and night”.

From a small shop set up by Joe Gaynor at the Five Lamps on Amiens Street, Dublin 40 years ago, J&S Automotive has grown into a major car-parts distributor with hubs all over Ireland. It supplies parts, tools and training to the independent aftermarket using its own fleet. It has grown a lot and will employ more than 180 by 2018.

Of the fleet of 24 Nissans, the majority are the larger capacity NV400s, but there are a number of compact NV200s. With the mid-sized NV300 recently on sale, one was added in November, with a further five arriving next month. J&S is keen to add the ENV200 when the infrastructure supports it.

Windsor Dundrum Nissan supplies the vehicles. There is a strong relationship with salesman Niall O’Kelly; it moved its business to the Dundrum dealership when Niall transferred from Windsor Liffey Valley. That the vans work hard is highlighted by the fact there are already almost 50,000km on that threemonth old NV300.

Gareth jokes he’ll be entitled to a free vehicle from Nissan when another NV400 (132 plate) with 700,000km+ on the clock, reaches 1m km.