Well, many in the Irish motor trade, high-up and low-down, might make a guess.

George originally started at the bottom in 1965 as a raw junior in a VW dealership in Harold’s Cross.
 
Hard work was his motto, plus enthusiasm, plus fulfilment, plus ‘get-up-and-go’. George was mainly involved in selling spare parts, not just for Volkswagen, but also for most other car marques including Peugeot. That’s how the parts business worked in those days, allowing the motorist in search of spares to shop around, and place his business wherever he got the best deal and, more importantly, the best service.
 
Did we say ‘get-up-and-go’? George applied this part of his character, and during the late sixties he got up and went downtown to Traders Magneto and Dynamo Co. and later on to LSE Motor Co. LSE was unique and was open for business seven days and seven nights a week, a policy well suited to George’s temperament.

During these assignments, his career broadened to include car sales and service, plus legal and technical activities in All Make Car Services in Sallynoggin, the old Peugeot Assembly Plant. Onwards and upwards all the time, thought he!

The Harold’s Cross VW agency, Traders Magneto, All Make Services and LSE are names which do not exist now, they have fragmented and spawned many other enterprises. So meanwhile who exactly is George H, and where is he now?

By the way, right from the beginning of Autobiz, 33 years ago, George started doing business with us; he truly is a loyal customer!

Well, his final major motor trade move came in 1985, when he went from retail to wholesale, where his earlier successes groomed him ultimately for the very top. And, if you can guess which importer, you have tumbled to George’s identity.

And here’s your tip. If you noticed page 74 of the July/August issue of Autobiz you’ll have seen that George Harbourne takes over in September as Managing Director of Peugeot Importers in Ireland. A man gifted with George’s qualities and trade experiences is a man who will lead Peugeot to new heights!