As a result of Volkswagen Group’s decision to restructure their Franchised Dealer Network, from November 2025, John Mulholland Motors Ltd will no longer offer new Škoda vehicles for sale. However, our long-established and experienced Aftersales team will proudly continue to service and maintain Škoda vehicles for both warranty and routine maintenance. Likewise our experienced sales teams will still offer a range of pre-owned Škoda and VW group vehicles.

John Mulholland Motors has become synonymous with the Škoda brand in Northern Ireland. When the late John Mulholland took the leap of faith to partner with Škoda, it was a brand often met with laughter rather than loyalty. Yet John, driven by his lifelong motto “support those who support you” believed in the underdog and took great pride in changing opinions. Through his commitment, determination, and genuine belief in the product, he helped transform Škoda into one of the most respected and best-loved brands in the province, often rallying the roads of Ireland in Škoda rally cars making sure to get the brand out there and be seen.

He quite literally put Škoda on the radars of some of Northern Ireland’s largest fleets. The chances are, most taxis you sit in or vehicles that respond to you in an emergency are Škodas, sold on relationships built by John Mulholland and maintained by the team in Randalstown. Together we built trust, credibility, and a reputation for excellence. The success of Škoda in Northern Ireland today owes much to John’s foresight and the family-run ethos that he and his wife Alicia built from the side of their home as newlyweds.

Throughout the nearly thirty years representing the brand, John Mulholland Motors won the prestigious UK Škoda Dealer of the Year Award three times - an incredible achievement for a provincial dealer in Randalstown, Co. Antrim. We are proud the team members who contributed to the winning of the awards remain with us, aligned with our values and plans for the future.

The decision by Volkswagen UK to restructure and consolidate their network is a global business decision and not a reflection of our performance or customer satisfaction.

Since John’s passing in August 2019, his family and team have been determined to honour his legacy, continuing to grow the business with honesty, integrity, and the personal touch that defined him. We remain a proud, community-focused, family business that knows our customers by name, not by number. The restructure will mean prospective New Škoda customers will be forced away from the familiar family-run dealerships who established the brand locally.

This change will not alter who we are or how we care for you. We will continue to serve our customers with the same enthusiasm and dedication through:

• Our expanded Hyundai operation, offering 5 Year Warranties across their 10-car model range
• Our Škoda Authorised Repair facility, the only Battery Centre in Northern Ireland
• Our new partnership with Maxus Vans and Pickups for our commercial clients

We will also continue to source high-quality used Škoda and non-franchise vehicles and deliver outstanding value for money because that’s what we do.

John lived by his words “support those who support you.” To all our loyal customers who have supported us through the years, we offer our heartfelt thanks. We look forward to continuing that journey together, perhaps with new badges on our cars, but always with the same family spirit at the wheel.

Finally, John Mulholland Motors continues to proudly support Friends of the Cancer Centre, donating £10 from every car sold and £2 from every car serviced. This is a legacy of compassion that remains central to who we are and we have proudly donated over £184,000 since 2019.

Should you have any questions about this transition, please refer to the FAQ page on our website or get in touch with Shona Mulholland directly.

With thanks always,

Shona Mulholland
Managing Director
on behalf of the Mulholland Team and Family