Toyota Ireland has confirmed that the Tom Hogan car dealership is to close because of trading difficulties, with the loss of 190 jobs.
Tom Hogan Motors, which had outlets in Galway, Clare and Tipperary, was one of the biggest Toyota dealerships in the country.
It began in Ennis over 30 years ago but had expanded with outlets at Ballybrit in Galway, Shannon and Clonmel, where it employed approximately 190 people.
However, trading difficulties brought about by the economic downturn, which has particularly affected car sales, have now forced the company into liquidation.
Toyota Ireland managing director David Shannon said this afternoon that it was sad to see a company of the calibre of the Tom Hogan motor group being forced into liquidation as a result of the extraordinarily difficult economic climate.
However, he moved to reassure customers that any cars purchased through the group would continue to carry their full warranty.
Fine Gael TD for Clare Joe Carey said it was a worrying indication of the problems facing the Irish motor industry, which could be threatened with the loss of 5000 jobs this year.
He called on the Department of Finance to consider introducing options like a car scrappage scheme which would lessen the impact of the global recession on this market.
