'It has been a challenging process': Northern Ireland motor industry goes head-to-head as 2026 award finalists revealed
More than 115 entries were received for this year’s Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards, with finalists now confirmed across 22 categories
The finalists for the 2026 Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards (NIMIA), in partnership with headline sponsor Used Cars NI, have been announced.
Now in their fourth year, the awards recognise the talent, innovation and achievements of individuals and businesses across Northern Ireland’s automotive sector.
This year’s awards attracted a record-breaking response, with more than 115 entries submitted across 22 categories.
Following a rigorous judging process overseen by an independent panel led by head judge Sandy Burgess FIMI, CCO of AutoXtraPro, the finalists have now been selected.
The Lifetime Achievement Award also returns in 2026. Presented every other year, the award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Northern Ireland’s motor industry. The recipient will be chosen by the judging panel and revealed at the awards ceremony.
Sasha Jeffrey, director of PR and events at ASG and founder of the awards, said: “Every year we’re inspired by the quality of the entries across Northern Ireland’s motor industry.
“This year was no exception – the level of passion, dedication and operational excellence showcased by this year’s finalists is a true testament to the strength of our local automotive sector.”
Head judge Sandy Burgess said the judging panel faced a difficult task in selecting the shortlist.
“The calibre of entries made our job as judges incredibly tough this year,” he said.
“Selecting the finalists was no easy task given the outstanding level of commitment, leadership and innovation displayed across every single entry.
“It has been a challenging process, but we are thrilled with the shortlist and cannot wait to gather together at the Crowne Plaza to celebrate the very best in the business on the night.”
Emma Marley, CEO of Used Cars NI and headline sponsor, added: “The sheer quality of this year’s submissions reflects just how dynamic and resilient Northern Ireland’s automotive sector continues to be.
“Used Cars NI are immensely proud to support these awards and are looking forward to a fantastic gala evening celebrating all of our finalists.”
The winners will be crowned at a black-tie gala ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Tables and individual tickets for the evening are available to reserve through the NIMIA website.
Full list of 2026 NIMIA finalists
Dealer Group – sponsored by Purple Rock: SERE Motors; Shelbourne Motors.
Franchised Dealer – sponsored by Eskimo Lead Management: Pat Kirk Ltd; Roadside (Garages) Limited; Saltmarine Cars.
Large Independent Dealer – sponsored by Warranty Solutions Group: CarBrothersNI Ltd; Family Cars NI; Fleetwise Ltd; J.K. Car Sales; iGen Autos Ltd; O’Loughlin Bros; MB Motors.
Medium Independent Dealer – sponsored by First Response Finance: CMC Car Sales; Derg Valley Autos; Empire Autos NI; Hynes Motors; Magee Automotive; PG McGillion (Motors) Ltd; Pitstop Motors NI; Stephen Mawhinney Motors.
Small Independent Dealer – sponsored by Momentum Warranties: Cobra Cars NI; Conor Dolan Motors Ltd; KCA Motors; Nolan Cars Ltd; She Shifts Automotive; Town & Country Cars; Velocity Motors.
Used Vehicle Dealer – sponsored by Dealer in a Box: CarBrothersNI Ltd; Family Cars NI Ltd; iGen Autos Ltd; J.K. Car Sales; Magee Automotive; MB Motors; O’Loughlin Bros; Saltmarine Cars.
EV Dealer – sponsored by Enterprise Mobility: Greg Mitchell Motors; SERE Motors; Shelbourne Motors.
Leasing Company: Shelbourne Motors.
Marketing Campaign – sponsored by PML Group: Greg Mitchell Motors; Hynes Motors; KCA Motors; Pat Kirk Ltd; O’Loughlin Bros; PG McGillion Motors; J.K. Car Sales; Saltmarine Cars; Shelbourne Motors.
Customer Service – Independent: CarBrothersNI Ltd; Fusco Vehicle Sales; iGen Autos Ltd; J.K. Car Sales; MB Motors Ballymena Ltd; O’Loughlin Bros; Stephen Mawhinney Motors.
Customer Service – Franchised: Pat Kirk Ltd; Roadside (Garages) Limited; SERE Motors.
Community Campaign: Fusco Vehicle Sales; GSF Car Parts; J.K. Car Sales; KCA Motors; Pat Kirk Ltd.
Employer Excellence: MB Motors; O’Loughlin Bros.
Dealer Principal / General Manager – sponsored by AbbeyAutoline: Conal Patterson, Empire Autos NI; Gary Leckey, Velocity Motors; Greg Mitchell, Greg Mitchell Motors; Joshua Heron, Family Cars NI; Jakub Kulis, J.K. Car Sales; Malcolm Beattie, MB Motors; Bernard O’Loughlin, O’Loughlin Bros.
Sales Manager: James Simpson, Desmond Motors; Robert Nosal, J.K. Car Sales; Stephen Hughes, MB Motors; Colin Hutton, Saltmarine Cars.
After Sales Manager – sponsored by EMaC: Aimee McNeill, MB Motors; Gary Loughlin, Derg Valley Autos; Joanna McLean, O’Loughlin Bros.
Sales Team – sponsored by Cool FM: CarBrothers NI; Fusco Vehicle Sales; Greg Mitchell Motors; J.K. Car Sales; MB Motors Ballymena Ltd; O’Loughlin Bros; Saltmarine Cars – Used Car Sales Team; SERE Motors Belfast.
Inspirational Female – sponsored by Northridge Finance: Cliona Devenney, C2 Auto Sales; Emma Leitch, Greg Mitchell Motors; Joanna McLean, O’Loughlin Bros; Kerrie Mackle, Fleetwise Ltd; Rachel Murray, Paint by Rach; Sian Curley, She Shifts Automotive; Sophie McDonald, Sophie’s Automotive.
After Sales Team – sponsored by Autoguard Warranties: Cannon Motors Ltd; Desmond Motors; Roadside Garages; SMD Commercials.
Automotive Technician – sponsored by Transport Training Services: Cathal Cowan, The Car Nerd Limited; Jonathan Jack, PG McGillion Motors; Nathan Stewart, Fleetwise Ltd; Ryan Caldwell, Greg Mitchell Motors; Sandijs Malkalns, J.K. Car Sales.
Rising Star – sponsored by Northridge Finance: Ben O’Loughlin, O’Loughlin Bros; Ben Rushe, Empire Autos NI; Christopher Hynes, Hynes Motors; Jakub Choma, J.K. Car Sales; Nicola McNally, PG McGillion Motors; Toby Cowan, Magee Automotive.
Apprentice – sponsored by GSF Car Parts: Jack Harvison, The NI Bodystop; Shea Omeara, Shelbourne Motors.
The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be selected directly by the independent judging panel and revealed during the awards ceremony.
The awards are supported by Used Cars NI, AbbeyAutoline, Autoguard Warranties, Dealer in a Box, GSF Car Parts, Northridge Finance, PML Group, Purple Rock Logistics, Transport Training Services, Warranty Solutions Group, GardX, Enterprise Mobility, Momentum Warranties, Eskimo Lead Management, First Response Finance, Cool FM and EMaC.
The winners will be crowned at a gala black-tie ceremony taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast, on Friday, November 6. Tables and individual tickets for the evening are available to reserve on the Awards website: nimotorindustryawards.com.